16 Ohservntions and Experiments 



evident muscular action. This was marked by an apparent 

 swelling of the superior surface of the electrical organs, particu- 

 kirly towards the anterior part, opposite to the cranium, and 

 by a retraction of the eyes. It was so evident, that v.'hen the 

 animal was held in the hand of another person, I was often able 

 to point out when he received tlie shock. In this, however, I 

 was also sometimes deceived ; and I think I have received shocks 

 (particularlv when the animal has been debilitated, and the 

 shocks weak), without having been able to observe this muscular 

 action. 



Two of these animals, as nearly alike in every circumstance as 

 possible, being each placed in a separate bucket of sea-water, 

 from one of them fiequent shocks were elicited by irritation, viz. 

 simple contact, or pricking, &c. ; the other was allowed to re- 

 main undisturbed. The former became languid, the intensity 

 of its shocks diminished, and it soon died; the last shocks being 

 received in a continiied succession, producing jjricking sensations 

 never extending above the hand. The latter continued viva- 

 cious, and lived until the third day. This experiment was fre- 

 f:uently repeated with tlie same results; and it might be observed, 

 in general, where there was no direct comparison made, that 

 those which parted with the shocks most freely soonest became 

 languid, and died ; and those which parted with them most re- 

 luctantly, lived tlie longest. 



Two'torpedos being placed exactly in the same ciicumstances 

 as the last mentioned, from one shocks were elicited until it bc- 

 f-aine debilitated. It was then allov.'ed to remain until the fol- 

 lowing dav. When they u-ere both examined, it v.as found that 

 rhe animal from which no shocks had been previously received, 

 discharged them very freely; but it was with the greatest difli- 

 culty that they could be procured from the other. 



Having made an incision on each side of the cranium and gills 

 of a lively torpedo, I pushed a'iide the electrical organs, so as to 

 expose and divide their nerves. The animal v.'as then placed in 

 ,-i bucket of sea-vvater. On examining it in about two hours af- 

 terwards, I found it impossible to elicit shocks from it by any 

 irritation ; but it seemed to possess as much activity and liveli- 

 ness as before, and lived as long as those animals from which 

 shocks had not bee n received, and which had not undergone this 

 ciiange. 



Two of these anima'^s being procured, the nerves of the elec- 

 trical organs of one of them were divided after the manner above 

 described. They were placed each in separate buckets of sea- 

 water, and allowed to remain undisturbed. This was performed 

 iu the morning, and when examined in the evening, it Avas im- 

 possible to distinguish between the liveliness or activity of either. 



