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.