71 



Dr. D. H. Storer made some remarks on a living specimen 

 of Torpedo occidentalism tiie C7'amp-fish or torpedo. 



Dr. Storer stated that, since the last meeting of the Society, a 

 living specimen of the cramp-fish or torpedo, Torpedo occiden- 

 dentalis, had been exhibited here, and that he, with Dr. J. B. S. 

 Jackson, had had an opportunity of testing its electrical properties. 

 He visited it while it was still in the well of the vessel in which 

 it had been brought here, and it gave, when lifted upon the wet 

 deck, a very distinct shock. This shock was scarcely perceived 

 if the fish was quiet ; it was most marked when the portion 

 directly over the electrical organs was excited. The most power- 

 ful effect was produced by seizing the tail with one hand, and 

 grasping that portion of the pectoral fins which was supplied 

 with nerves from the fifth pair ; here, quite a shock was perceived 

 in the arms as high as the elbows. If such effects are produced 

 when the fish is removed from its native element, Dr. S. did not 

 doubt that, when struck by a harpoon while in the water, it might 

 have the power to benumb perfectly, but temporarily, the arms 

 of the fisherman employed in its capture. This fish was seen 

 near the shore at Provincetown, the latter part of October, ap- 

 parently benumbed ; and a rope being attached to its tail, it was 

 readily dragged on shore. Although this is undoubtedly a south- 

 ern fish, Dr. S. had never known it to be taken on the eastern coast 

 of Cape Cod, or, in other words, out of Cape Cod Bay. It appears 

 to have been seen, as yet, only on ihe eastern shore of CaJDe Cod 

 Bay, between Provincetown Harbor and Orleans, an extent of 

 about thirty miles : and is found in greater numbers upon the east- 

 ern shore of Long-point, a small neck of land, west of the town of 

 Provincetown, than at any other place. Capt. Atwood informed 

 Dr. S. that at least a dozen specimens have been taken there this 

 season, from the early part of September to this date, Nov. 1st. 

 At Wellfleet they are found, but not in such numbers ; and Dr. S. 

 had heard of a specimen having been taken at Orleans. Capt. At- 

 wood has known only two specimens to have been taken with the 

 hook, while fishing for other species. They are almost always 

 met with just at the margin of the shore, and are taken mostly 

 for the sake of the oil in their livers. 



Dr. Storer also observed that he had received, through 



