LETTER LVI. 



the young ones, which are commonly called elves, is 

 exceedingly delicious. 



THE ELECTRICAL EEL 



is not only the most remarkable fish of this kind, but 

 one of the most extraordinary creatures that nature, 

 in her incalculable variety, has produced. It is a 

 fresh water fish, found in the river of Surinam. 



For the most important particulars relative to the 

 description and history of this natural phenomenon, 

 we are indebted to Mr. Bancroff and Dr. Gordon, of 

 South Carolina. 



The electrical eel gives to any person, or number 

 of persons joining hands, that touch! it, a most violent 

 shock, which, like that of electricity, may be com- 

 municated through a metallic conductor. This shock- 

 is indeed attended with all the phenomena and 

 effects of that produced b}^ the electrical machine, so 

 far as experiment has hitherto enabled us to discover. 

 A power so extraordinary has undoubtedly been 

 given to this fish, as well as to the torpedo, by the 

 all-wise and beneficent Creator, as a means of defence 

 against enemies beyond comparison superior in 

 strength and agility. 



The second grand division by which Ljnnaeus dis.- 

 tinguishes fishes of the spinous kind, is the 



JUGULARES, 



of which the general characteristic consists in the po- 

 sition of the ventral before the pectoral fins; it con- 

 tains five genera, and about thirty-five species. 



Consistent with the brevity of my plan, 1 shall, my 

 dear Sir, particularize only two of this order, one the 

 most conspicuous by its beauty, and the other the 

 most remarkable for its importance and extensive uti- 

 lity. 



THE DRAGONET, 



which is about ten or twelve inches long, with a 

 large head, and a body slender, round, and smooth, 

 is one of the most beautiful of the inhabitants of the 

 deep. The colours of this fish are amazingly resplen- 

 dent, exhibiting a delightful variety of white, blue, 



