[ m 1 
Can this matter be the caufe of the at¬ 
traction and repulfion which muft take 
place in thefe operations ? 
Do the fmells and flavours of the fepa- 
rated fluids, or animal productions, derive 
from the fame principle ? 
Some obfervations made by Abbe Nollet 
and Abbe Vaflalli upon the electricity of 
animals, and the ideas of Profefibr Sauf- 
fure on the nature of this univerfal agent, 
will aflifl: us in advancing a few fteps in 
thefe enquiries; but as they require much 
time, and new experiments, I (hall delay 
examining them till another time. At 
prefent I fhall only relate a few facts re¬ 
flecting the influence of the nerves in the 
mcchanifm of the fecretions, as it is by 
this that we are to become acquainted 
with the qualities of the fluid, by means 
of which the nerves maintain their empire. 
An organ of fecretion becomes more 
active when it is affected by acrid and 
U 3 ffimu- 
