Experiments on the Gymnotus Elect ricus. 161 



If several persons join hands, and only one of them 

 touch the fish, none of the others touching the water, 

 the shock is never felt by any but the person who 

 touches the fish, and by him in that hand and arm 

 only. 



No shock from the fish can be communicated 

 through dry wood, glass, or any other substance, so 

 far as we have tried, that will not conduct electricity*. 



XXVI. Indian Account of a remarkably strong and 

 ferocious Beast, which (they say) existed in the nor- 

 thern parts of the State of New- York, about two hun- 

 dred years ago. Collected, and communicated to the 

 Editor, by Mr. John Heckewelder. 



THE Jagisho\ (or naked animal, or Bear, as 

 some of the Indians call it) was an animal much su- 

 perior in size, to the largest bear. It was remarka- 



* November 22d, 1794. Mr. Rittenhouse, in a conversation I 

 had with him, on the subject, seemed very confident, that, in 

 making the preceding experiments upon the Gymnotus, he, upon 

 one occasion, saw the electric spark. Another gentleman, 

 who was present at, and assisted in, the same experiments, in- 

 formed me, that the gymnotus killed three Cat-fish (Silurus), at 

 a single stroke ; at least, the fish were instantly stunned, and 

 thrown upon their backs ; so that the Eel accomplished his pur- 

 pose : for he immediately proceeded to cat the fish, upon which 

 his influence had hecn so powerfully exerted. The species of 

 Sihmis are destroyed with more difficulty, by the gymnotic influ- 

 ence, than many oilier species offish. Editor. 

 t The Indian name of this beast, or animal. 

 VOL. I. PART II. X 



