THE ELECTRICAL RAT. 



423 



producing a shock. The benumbing power is lost by fre- 

 quent exercise, being regained by rest ; it is also increased 

 by energetic circulation and respiration. As in muscular 



Fig. 392. Torpedo 1110.1- 1 nor atus. a, cerebrum: 6, the medulla; c, spinal cord; 

 d and &', electric portion of the trigeminate or fifth pair of nerves ; ', electric portion 

 of the pneumogastric or eighth pair of nerve* ; /, recurrent nerve ; g, left electric 

 organ entire ; g', right electric organ dissected to show the distribution of the nerves ; 

 h, the last of the branchial chambers ; i, mucus-secreting tubes. From Qervuis and 

 Van Beneden. 



exertion the electrical power is increased by the action of 

 strychnine (Owen). 



Marey has more recently made interesting experiments on 

 the torpedo, examining the discharge of this fish with the 



