368 Dr. Faraday's Experimental Researches in Electricity^ xv. 



would be diminished, and the intervening water therefore 

 conduct more of the force. But with respect to the parts 

 immersed, or to animals, as fish in the isoater between I and 7, 

 they would be more powerfully, instead of less powerfully, 

 shocked. 



1784. It is evident from all the experiments, as well as 

 from simple considerations, that all the water and all the con- 

 ducting matter around the fish through which a discharge 

 circuit can in any way be completed, is filled at the moment 

 with circulating electric power ; and this state might be easily 

 represented generally in a diagram by drawing the lines of in- 

 ductive action (1231. ISOt. 1338.) upon it: in the case of a 

 gymnotus, surrounded equally in all directions by water, these 

 would resemble generally, in disposition, the magnetic curves 

 of a magnet, having the same straight or curved shape as the 

 animal, i. e. provided he, in such cases, employed, as may be 

 expected, his four electric organs at once. 



1785. This gymnotus can stun and kill fish which are in 

 very various positions to its own body ; but on one day when 

 J saw it eat, its action seemed to me to be peculiar. A live 

 fish about five inches in length, caught not half a minute 

 before, was dropped into the tub. The gymnotus instantly 

 turned round in such a manner as to form a coil inclosing the 

 fish, the latter representing a diameter across it; a shock 

 passed, and there in an instant was the fish struck motionless, 

 as if by lightning, in the midst of the waters, its side floating 

 to the light. The gymnotus made a turn or two to look for its 

 prey, which having found he bolted, and then went searching 

 about for more. A second smaller fish was given him, which 

 being hurt in the conveyance, showed but little signs of life, 

 and this he swallowed at once, apparently without shocking 

 it. The coiling of the gymnotus round its prey had, in this 

 case, every appearance of being intentional on its part, to in- 

 crease the force of the shock, and the action is evidently ex- 

 ceedingly well suited for that purpose (1783.), being in full 

 accordance with the well-known laws of the discharge of cur- 

 rents in masses of conducting matter; and though the fish 

 may not always put this artifice in practice, it is very pro- 

 bable he is aware of its advantage, and may resort to it in 

 cases of need. 



1786. Living as this animal does in the midst of such a 

 good conductor as water, the first thoughts are thoughts of 

 surprise that it can sensibly electrify anything ; but a little 

 consideration soon makes one conscious of many points of 

 great beauty, illustrating the wisdom of the whole arrange- 



