rupted
continuance. It is 'capable of moving with various degrees of
facility through the pores or even the substance of matter;' and is
not impeded in its action by the intervention of any substance
whatever, provided it be not in itself in an electric state. This
capacity of varied action and of pervading influence, has already
been shown to characterize the mesmeric medium."--(P. 335.)

Why, what is here stated of electricity, may be said of heat, of light,
of any force, and its moving through the pores may be denied as easily
as asserted; by many it is thought to be a molecular polarization, and
not a transmission.

Zinc and silver are said (p. 237) to "produce a taste resulting from the
galvanic concussion, and not from any actual flavour." This is
incorrect; zinc and silver produce a taste when in voltaic
communication, because they decompose the saliva, and eliminate acid and
alkaline constituents.

Further on it is said, (p. 237,) "A spark drawn by means of a pointed
metal from the nose of a person charged with electricity, will give him
the sensation of smelling a phosphoric odour." This is also an erroneous
assumption; the electric spark, in passing through the atmosphere,
combines its constituents, and forms nitrous acid. This has a pungent
smell; probably there are some other physical changes wrought upon the
constituents of the atmosphere by the electric spark, which are now
objects of anxious enquiry to natural philosophers; yet none of them
have any doubt that the electric smell is the result of a physical or
chemical action of the spark, by which either the air is decomposed, or
fine portions of metal carried off, or both. So again--

"The electric medium is a far more swift and subtle messenger of
vision than is the luminous ether. 'A wheel revolving with celerity
sufficient to render its spokes invisible, when illuminated by a
flash of lightning, is seen for an instant with all its spokes
distinct, as if it were in a state of absolute repose, because,
however rapid the motion may be, the light has already come and
ceased before the wheel has had time to turn through a sensible
space.' Again, some ingenious experiments, by Professor Wheatstone,
demonstrate to a certainty, that the speed of the electric fluid
much surpasses the velocity of light. It is, therefore, a different
medium; yet can it serve for all the purp