which incites the Muscles of Animals to contract . 26 1 
good a conductor of electricity, refuses to transmit the influ- 
ence, upon which the motions in Mr. Galvani’s experiments 
depend. In reply I shall only say, that Dr. Fowler must 
have been unfortunate with respect to the charcoal he em- 
ployed , since all the pieces I ever tried, and I have tried 
many, were found to conduct this influence. 
Other arguments have likewise been urged against the 
identity of the two influences ; all of which, however, except- 
ing one, I shall decline discussing, as they either are of little 
importance, or have nqt been stated with sufficient precision. 
The objection I mean is, that in none of the experiments with 
animals, prepared after the manner of Mr. Galvani, are 
those appearances of attraction and repulsion to be observed, 
which are held to be the tests of the presence of electricity. 
My answer to it is, that no such appearances can occur in Mr. 
Galvani's experiments, consistently with the known requi- 
sites for their success, and the established laws of electricity. 
For, as it has been proved that there is naturally no disen- 
gaged electric fluid in the nerves and muscles of animals, I 
except the torpedo and a few others, no signs of attraction and 
repulsion can be looked for in those substances, before the ap- 
plication of metals or charcoal ; and after these have been ap- 
plied, the equilibrium of the influence, agreeably to what has 
been already shewn, is never disturbed, unless means for its 
restoration be at the same time afforded. Neither then ought 
signs of attraction and repulsion to be in this case presented, 
on the supposition that the influence is electrical ; since it is 
necessary for the exhibition of such appearances, that bodies, 
after becoming electrical, should remain so during some sen- 
sible portion of time : it being well known, for example, that 
mdccxcv. M m 
