[ xiv ] 
WJeclricity [in my opinion) doss not act as 
ajlimulus, nor does it ever equilibrate. The 
contraSHons and relaxations of mvjcles derive 
only by a change in the fate of this fluid. An 
examination of the changes obfervable in 
mufeks during their adliqn ; the rapidity tvitb 
’which ihefe changes Jucceed each other; the 
property which the elcdlrical matter pofeffes 
cf increajing the coheflon of bodies, and of 
preferving itfdf under certain circumflances 
in the contrary fates after the difeharge j and 
laflly t the property of retaining electricity , 
which certain Jubjlances enjoy , render my 
theory fujflciently probable. 
With regard to the other fundi ions, as 
they are executed in a very obfciire manner, 
I was obliged to grope my way in the dark, 
and imagine hypothefes , which are perhaps 
no better than dreams. But our ignorance, 
with refpedl to the means which nature em¬ 
ploys for the management of the electrical 
fluid., is not an argument againf. the exiftence 
of animal eledfricity. It 
