Experiments on the Gymnotus Elect ricus. 159 



The accommodations here are not very good, but 

 the people are represented as very kind and attentive. 

 I have not been at this place. 



XXV. Continuation of the Experiments on the Gym- 

 notus Electricus. See Article XF*. 



August 19. Experiment 12. WE took a 

 piece of dry charcoal, above four inches in length, 

 which had before been found to conduct electricity 

 very well. Mr. Kinnersly held the one end of the coal, 

 and put a finger of the other hand in the water ; ano- 

 ther person held the opposite end of the coal, and 

 touched the fish near the tail, at the same time that 

 its head was near Mr. Kinnersly 's finger. Each per- 

 son felt a small shock through both arms. This ex- 

 periment succeeded equally a second time. 



Experiment 13. We endeavoured to obtain a visi- 

 ble spark from the fish, in this manner : a circuit 

 being formed by two persons, one of them held his 

 hand in the water, and with the other touched the 

 fish, each person holding, at the same time, in the 



* It was originally the Editor's intention (see page 100), to 

 have deferred this part of the paper to " a future number of the 

 Journal :" but it is now thought more proper lo publish it in this 

 Section of the present number. The " additional observations," 

 promised by the Editor, will contain a historical view of the pro- 

 gress of discovery relative to this and other species of fishes, ca- 

 pable of exerting the same wonderful influence; whether that in- 

 fluence be the Electrical or Galvanic. 



