Class IV. ELECTRIC RAY. 



But the acknowledgements of every naturalift 

 are due to John Walfh, Efquire, for his curious 

 and unwearied refearches into the nature of this 

 fifh ; and for the firft certainty we had of its being 

 a native of our feas. To him I am particularly- 

 bound, for being enabled to correct my errors in 

 the former account,, 



Li 



IT is frequently taken in Torbay, has been 

 once caught off Pembroke, and fometimes near 

 Water ford in Ireland. It is generally taken, like 

 other fiat fifh, with the trawl ; but there is an in- 

 flance of its taking a bait, which vindicates the 

 hne account that Oppian has left us of this fifh, 

 It commonly lies in water of about forty fa- 

 thoms depth y and in company with the congene- 

 rous Rays. 



The torpedo brings forth its young at the autum- 

 nal equinox as affirmed by Ariftotle. A gentleman 

 of la Rochelle, on differing certain females of this 

 fpecies, the ioth of September, found in the ma- 

 trices, feveral of the fcetufes quite formed, and nine 

 eggs, in no (late of forwardnefs : fuperfcetation 

 feems therefore to be a property of this fifh. 



The food of the torpedo is fifh •, a furmullet and 



a plaife having been found in the flomach of 



two of them. The furmullet as a fifh of that 



fwiftnefs, that it was impoflible for the torpedo to 



take it by purfuit. It is probable, that by their 



ek&ric flroke, they flupify their prey \ yet the crab 



and fea leech will venture to annoy them, 



They 



9* 



