274 HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



at least fifteen or twenty of this species to be taken by hook and line, and also in seines, 

 for several years in succession, in the spring of the year. Although I had supposed it 

 was a southern species, this was the first positive information I had received of its bemg 

 taken south of Cape Cod. During the latter part of October, 1845, Captam Atwood 

 brought from Provincetown to Boston a living specimen, weighing about sixty pounds. 

 It was found near the shore apparently benumbed, and was readily dragged ashore by 

 attaching a rope to its tail. In company with my friend, J. B. S. Jackson, M. D., I visited 

 it while it was still alive in the well of the smack in which it had been brought. 

 Upon its being lifted upon the wet deck, it gave a distinct shock. This shock was 

 scarcely perceptible while the fish was quiet, and was most marked when the portion di- 

 rectly over the electrical organs was excited. The most powerful effect was produced 

 by seizing the tail with one hand, and grasping that portion of the pectoral fins which is 

 supplied with nerves from the fifth pair ; here, quite a shock was perceived in the arms 

 as high as the elbows. In some cases, the shock produced by this fish, when in the wa- 

 ter, is irresistible. The following anecdote I copy from my Report : " Mr. Newcomb, 

 senior, the oldest fisherman in Boston market, stated to me, that his father, who resided 

 at Wellfleet, had a dog which frequently waded into the shallow water of the coves and 

 brought out flounders which he had seized with his mouth. In one of his fishing excur- 

 sions he attacked a torpedo, which perfectly convulsed him ; he dropped the fish, and 

 ran away howling most piteously, and could never be persuaded to resume his fishing." 

 Captain Atwood informs me that he has received a great many very powerful shocks 

 which have thrown him upon the ground as quick as if he had been knocked down with 

 an axe. He has also received many shocks by taking hold of the pole of an harpoon, 

 when he was at the distance of eight or ten feet from the fish ; and he has also felt its 

 effects when holding the rope attached to the harpoon ; but in this, and in removing the 

 liver from the fish when it is nearly dead, there is generally nothing more than a numb- 

 ness felt in the fingers, and they seem inclined to straighten ; so that he has known it to 

 be difficult to grasp the handle of the knife while cutting the fish. • 



The smallest individuals do not exceed twenty pounds in weight, while Capt. A. 

 thinks the largest may weigh from one hundred and seventy to two hundred pounds. 

 The largest circumference of any of them, is about twelve feet. They are taken for 

 their oil. The livers of the largest specimens yield about three gallons of oil ; those of 

 the smallest ones, a pint ; the ordinary sized livers furnish from one to two gallons. 

 Many of the fishermen have an opinion that this oil is serviceable in cases of cramp 

 when exteriorly applied, and relieves cramp in the stomach when internally administered. 



