CHAP. IV. §. I. IN THE STOMACH AND INTESTINES. 35 



animals was fully proved by the phenomena of the 

 Torpedo and of the Gymnotus Electricus ; and since 

 the universal prevalence of similar powers of lower 

 intensity in other , animals was rendered highly 

 probable by the extreme suddenness with which 

 the nervous influence is communicated from one 

 point of the living system to another. 



" And though the separation of chemical agents, 

 as well as their transfer to a distance, and their 

 transition through solids and through liquids, which 

 might be expected to oppose their progress, had not 

 then been effected but by powerful batteries ; yet it 

 appeared highly probable that the weakest electric 

 energies might be capable of producing the same 

 effects, though more slowly in proportion to the 

 weakness of the power employed. 



" I accordingly at that time made an experiment 

 for the elucidating this hypothesis, and commu- 

 nicated it to Mr. Davt and to others of my friends. 

 But though it was conclusive with regard to the 

 sufficiency of very feeble powers, it did not appear 

 deserving of publication, until I could adduce some 

 evidence of the actual employment of such means 

 in the animal economy. 



" The experiment was conducted as follows : 

 I took a piece of glass-tube, about three-quarters 

 of an inch in diameter and nearly two inches long, 

 open at both ends, and covered one of them with 

 a piece of clean bladder. Into this little vessel 

 I poured some water, in which I had dissolved 



