172 OBSERVATIONS on tue 
tain it is, that many perfons have been knocked down by 
the feverity of the fhock. The languid ftate in which I 
found the eel the morning after it was taken, gave me an 
opportunity of obferving that though I could perceive no 
fhock by touching it on or near the tail; yet applying 
my finger near the belly, the torporific power was very 
confiderable, notwithftanding the fifh was now almoft dead. 
This I repeated feveral times, as a remark of fome confe- 
quence in affifting us to determine whether, or how far, 
the emiffion of torporific particles depends on the exertion 
of any mufcular force* ; upon which principle Mr. Rea- 
mure accounts for the benumbing power of the Torpedo. 
I much doubt if the moft acute eye can difcern any moti- 
on in the eel at the time it fhockst. I have been fo par- 
ticular in taking notice of the bafket and deal-board, be- 
caufe it has been afferted that the eel fhocks only by im- 
mediate contact, through metal or very hard wood. This 
eel is frequently eat by the negroes, and reckoned very 
delicious. Its common food is fhrimps or any {mall fith. 
I have lately made another experiment upon the torpo- 
rific eel. It was fuggefted to me by the very great fimi- 
larity between the effects of a fhock from the eel and an 
electric machine. I held an iron rod between two pieces 
of glafs and touched the eel with it, but could not perceive 
the leaft fhock. I held the rod in a filk handkerchief with 
the fame effect. I repeated thefe experiments on two eels 
with equal fuccefs. I think this experiment demonftrates 
that the electric and torporific particles are the fame. I 
have tried the effects of this fifh upon the needle of a com- 
pafs but perceived no influence. I have not, however, 
; done 
* J have not ventured as yet to give any opinion of the ftrange property by which this fith 
becomes the conduétor of the eleétric fluid. But that the emiflion of it depends upon the ex- 
ertion of mufcular force may, I think, be concluded from hence; that, as has already been 
determined, repeated exertions will exhauft its power to fhock for a time, and before it can 
again exert its influence, a frefh quantity of fire muft be collected; nor do I think the experi- 
ment I made on the dying eel invalidates this opinion, for to the beft of my recollection it 
ecafed to fhock fome time before its death. 
+ Iam informed the motion is perceptible, though I confefs I could nor diftinguihh it. 
