IV 



a species of fisli found on the coasts of ]\'Iauritius^ and com- 

 monly known as the Tremhicur — To?yedo Marmorata 



We all know that a shock is felt in contact with this 

 fishj and several x^ersons mentioned to Dr. Le Juge that 

 they had been thrown down by treading on a TrcmUeur, 

 from the force of the electric shock,, and that it was only 

 after several minutes that they recovered consciousness^ 

 not knowing at first what had happened to them. 



Many Naturalists have stated that the Ray-fish a tribe 

 to which belongs the Tremhleur is oviparous, but Dr. Le 

 Juge has been able to adduce proof of the contrary so far 

 as concern Tor'pedo Marmorata of Mauritius. As he pre- 

 sented to the Society some small foetus taken from the 

 body of a female. 



It has been observed that the electric discharge is given 

 out at the will of the fish, that its direction depends also 

 on its will, and that the seat of A'olitionis in the last lobe. 

 It was remarked that the electric power was at an end, 

 Avith the destruction of that lobe and the section of the 

 nerves belonging to it. 



From these observations, attempts have been made to 

 explain the powers possessed by tliis fish of producing 

 electricity and to discover its mode of formation, but 

 science has as yet been unable to unravel the mystery. 



We will add that the Torpedo Marmorata of Mauritius 

 is generally seen in the cold season, from June to October. 

 It is difficult to procure one in the hot season. It remains 

 in the muddy bottom, hiding itself as much as possible, 

 waiting for whatever pray, chance might tln^ow en its way. 



