on rmcscular Motion . 
23 
gage, and no air was suffered to remain In the apparatus. On 
the slightest action with the muscles of the hand, or fore-arm, 
the water ascended rapidly in the gage, making librations of 
six and eight inches length in the barometer tube, on each 
contraction and relaxation of the muscles. 
The remarkable effects of crimping fish by immersion in 
w r ater, after the usual signs of life have disappeared, are worthy 
attention ; and whenever the rigid contractions of death have 
not taken place, this process may be practised with success. 
The sea fish destined for crimping are usually struck on the 
head when caught, which, it is said, protracts the term of this 
capability ; and the muscles which retain this property longest 
are those about the head. Many transverse sections of the 
muscles being made, and the fish immersed in cold water, the 
contractions called crimping take place in about five minutes 
but, if the mass be large, it often requires thirty minutes to 
complete the process. 
Two flounders, each weighing 192(1 grains, the one being 
in a state for crimping, the other dead and rigid, were put into 
water at 48°, each being equally scored with a knife. After 
half an hour, the crimped fish had gained in weight 53 grains, 
but the dead fish had lost 7 grains.. The specific gravity of the 
crimped fish was greater than that of the dead fish, but a 
quantity of air-bubbles adhered to the surfaces of the crimped 
muscles, which were rubbed off’ before weighing ; this gas was 
not inflammable. 
The specific gravity of the crimped fish - - 1,105; 
of the dead fish, after an equal 
immersion in water - 1,050. 
So that the accession of water specifically lighter than the 
