"E.Voiskunsky, I.Lukodyanov. The Crew Of The Mekong (англ.)" - читать интересную книгу автора

liquid are capable of moving through another liquid. Further, Benedictov
gave an account of his observations of fish having electric organs and cited
interesting information about them. The electric ray, Torpedinidae, for
example, generates 300 volts at eight amperes, and the electric eel,
Electrophorus Electricus, as much as 600 volts.
Benedictov maintained that such fish, Nature's largest living power
generators, created an electric field the action of which makes water pass
through their scales into their bodies. He had planted contacts in fish to
measure differences in the action potential of the skin and the internal
organs, and had concluded that under certain definite electrostatic
conditions liquids penetrate through living tissue. Benedictov put forward
the hypothesis that it would soon be possible to subject fish to special
irradiation that would make them both penetrable and able to penetrate
through solid matter when required. For example, fish would be able to pass
freely through concrete dams on rivers.
In his review Opratin had spoken highly of the fish experiments but had
politely ridiculed the penetrability hypothesis. The editor of the journal
had introduced him to Benedictov. Benedictov had disagreed with Opratin's
conclusions, called the review "narrow-minded", and refused to let his
article be published.
All this had taken place about three and a half months earlier. Now the
author and the reviewer were meeting for a second time.
"There was no need to take offence, Benedictov," Opratin said mildly.
"Your article had a lot of interesting points, as I noted in my review-"
"I didn't take offence," Benedictov interrupted.
"It's just that I don't think you- hm, well, that you know much about
bioelectricity."
Opratin took out his handkerchief and wiped his forehead. "Let's not
argue about it," he said quietly. "You know more about some things and I
know more about others. Isn't that so?"
"In that case, stick to what you know and don't go poking your nose-"
"Anatole, please," the woman said, putting her hand on her husband's
arm.
"I shouldn't have spoken to him," Opratin thought. "He's all keyed up."
Aloud he said: "I have no intention of interfering in your affairs. I hope
you'll finally realize your hypothesis is groundless. Ionophoresis and
reciprocal penetrability of bodies are immeasurably far apart. Goodbye."
Opratin made a dignified turn but before he had taken two steps
Benedictov called to him. "Look here", he said. "Want a demonstration of
penetrability?"
"Stop it, Anatole," said the woman. "Don't, I beg you."
Benedictov waved her aside. "Look!" He thrust his hand inside his shirt
and drew out a knife.
Opratin took an involuntary step backwards.
The husky man in the striped shirt strode over to Benedictov. "Hey,
none of that! Put that knife away."
Benedictov ignored him. "Here's penetrability for you!" he exclaimed.
He pushed up his left sleeve and slashed his forearm with the knife.
Someone gave a stifled scream. A crowd started to gather.
"See that?" Now Benedictov plunged the knife into his arm. The narrow