CHAP. I. NOBILI, MATTEtlOCI, DU B0I8 BKTMOND. 11 



frog, being directed from the feet to the sciatic 

 plexus, or towards the head of the animal, and this 

 he called ' the proper current of the frog.' Seebeck had 

 shortly before ascertained the fundamental facts 

 connected with thermo-electricity; and Nobili, strange 

 to say, was led to believe, that the results he had 

 obtained with the limb of the frog were due to the 

 difference of temperature between the nerves and 

 the muscles. An interesting example, indicating 

 how prone the mind is to refer any unexplained or 

 residual phenomenon to a newly-discovered class of 

 facts. 



Since the introduction of the galvanometer, several 

 observers have attempted to ascertain- the existence 

 of electric currents in the living animal. Amongst 

 them MATTEncci stands preeminent, as having esta- 

 blished several iipportant facts connected with the 

 developement of electrical action in the animal body ; 

 and to Do Bois Eeymond also science is indebted 

 for the elucidation of several important points 

 connected with our present subject. As I shall 

 have occasion hereafter to allude to the results 

 obtained by these and other philosophers, they need 

 not now detain us. 



