forms of life was only through the unattractive specimens 

 preserved in formalin and used for dissection 



On many occasions the aquarium supplied the MBL 

 classes with material for experimentation and dissection. 

 The demonstration of electric discharges by the large 

 electric ray was the most spectacular event carried out 

 for several consecutive seasons on Fisheries grounds by 

 William R. Amberson for the students of his physiology 

 class. The ray was placed on a wide copper plate to which 

 an electrode was attached. The second electrode was 

 placed on the ray's dorsal side, over its electric organ. 

 A chain was formed of 40 to 50 volunteers holding hands 

 and two at the ends touching the poles. The fish was then 

 disturbed, and at the discharge of an electric shock all the 

 hands jerked up simultaneously with loud screams of the 

 participants. The event always attracted numerous 

 spectators. 



Many curious remarks were heard and comic 

 incidents happened around the outdoor pool. By long-established 

 tradition, two young harbor seals were kept every summer in 

 a large sea-water pool behind the sea wall. The lovable 

 animals, adored by the public, spent most of their time on 

 a small raft anchored in the pool. They became tame within 

 a short time of their capture and camie close to the wall to 

 accept mackerel or other fish offered to them. At feeding 

 time a large crowd would always be standing on the walls of 

 the pool. Besides the seals, sea turtles and large sharks 

 occasionally were placed in the pool. There was always a 

 discussion about the dangers of sharks, their attacks on 

 humans and questions why the seals were not afraid of them. 

 1 noticed late one afternoon, a large group of men loudly 

 arguing some question and refreshing themselves with 

 frequent excursions to hip-pocket flasks. To prevent possible 

 unpleasantries I moved close to the group and heard how one 

 rather fat and vociferous fellow proposed a bet of $5 to $25 

 that he would enter the water where sharks were swimming 

 and remain there immobile for 10 minutes. The bet was 

 accepted, and the man stripped to his bathing trunks, stepped 

 into the water while his companions anxiously looked at their 

 watches. When he successfully emerged from the pool and 

 collected his bet, I quietly remarked that the large sand sharks 

 in the pool are sluggish animals which subsist on small fish 

 and never attack humans. Since the explanation was not 

 appreciated by the winner, I hastily retreated to my quarters. 



The seals were the darlings of Woods Hole. People 

 loved them, and used thousands of films photographing them 

 and asked endless questions about their habits. There were 

 many visitors to the aquarium, including some local fishermen 



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