IV PEEFACE. 



it, Eesearches in Animal Electricity, or Electro- 

 Physiological or Biological Eesearches, but the ab- 

 surdities associated with the facts comprised under 

 these titles, such as Animal Magnetism, Mesmerism, 

 &c. would only tend to continue, instead of remove, 

 the confused notions connected with the subject, 

 and also the strong prejudices that are entertained 

 in reference to it. 



With regard to the conclusions I have arrived 

 at, I am not aware that any serious attempt has been 

 made by experimental evidence to prove them erro- 

 neous. The objections that have been raised partake 

 unfortunately too much of a personal character. 

 Opposition has been started, in consequence of 

 having in my first Paper, which was communicated 

 and published in the Transactions of the Royal 

 Society, entitled it an attempt to apply some of 

 the discoveries of Faeaday to Physiology; and as some 

 vagueness seemed at the time to be expressed in this 

 title, and to avoid any misconception, I endeavoured 

 in a note to render my meaning more explicit, and 

 to point out the necessity of being acquainted with 

 Faraday's views in regard to current force. Since 

 then, I have been told that ' Faraday knows nothing 

 of the subject,' and that ' Grove's views are the most 

 correct,' with other observations which I refrain from 

 relating. It was not my intention, nor had I the 

 least idea at the time, that it would be made and 

 become the subject of a personal affair; but I felt 

 and' considered myself bound to state to whom I had 



