the physiological writers of Germany
The vagueness of this reference, in contrast to the pointed citation of
Erasmus Darwin, perhaps suggests that
Percy Bysshe Shelley, who at this
point had only rudimentary German, is operating here from report rather
than personal experience.
The chief figure among relevant German scientists would appear to be Johann Wilhelm Ritter (1776-1810), who
conducted extensive experiments in galvanism. Other commentators have at
various times suggested J. F.
Blumenbach, Friedrich Tiedemann, Goethe, Schelling, and Lorenz Oken.
