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Account of some Experiments on the Torpedo electricus, at LaRochelle. 

 By John T. Todd, Esq. Communicated by Sir Everard Home, Bart. 

 V.P.R.S. Read December 5, 1816. \Phil. Trans. 1817, p. 32.] 



Having upon a former occasion submitted to the Royal Society 

 some experiments and observations on the Torpedo electricus, the 

 author is now induced to offer a continuation of his researches ; and 

 in the present communication describes a series of experiments un- 

 dertaken with a view of ascertaining whether that animal possesses 

 any power either of exciting the electrical organs, or of interrupting 

 their action independent of the large system of nerves, by which they 

 are directly supplied. The commencement only of this investigation 

 is now submitted to the Society, the author having been deterred 

 from its completion by untoward circumstances. 



His experiments were performed immediately after the fish was 

 taken, and while it was vivacious and active. When the lateral car- 

 tilages and all their appertaining muscles were divided, the shocks 

 seemed as potent as before such operation. Neither were the powers 

 of the electrical organ sensibly diminished by removing its superior 

 surface, nor by making a deep vertical incision into it. Even when 

 one half of each electrical organ was removed, the power of giving 

 shocks was retained by the remainder. 



These experiments were performed on two torpedos ; the one 

 eight, and the other eighteen inches in length. The results were in 

 all main points similar ; but the smaller fish became, as might have 

 been expected, most speedily exhausted. 



In a third torpedo, between nine and ten inches long, an in- 

 cision was made round the circumference of both organs, so as to 

 leave no attachment between them and the animal, except by the 

 nerves ; but the power of giving shocks was not impaired by this 

 operation. The author remarks that the nerves supplying the elec- 

 trical organs of the torpedo arise exclusively from the medulla ob- 

 longata, notwithstanding the long course which some of them take 

 before they reach the organs. 



The torpedo called by the lower orders in France la Tremble, is 

 abundantly taken between the mouths of the Seine and the Garonne, 

 and forms an article of food among the poorer inhabitants ; who, 

 however, carefully avoid the electric organs, which they consider as 

 noxious. 



A Description of a Process, by which Corn tainted with Must may be 

 completely purified. By Charles Hatchett, Esq. F.R.S. In a Let- 

 ter addressed to the Right Honourable Sir Joseph Banks, Bart. 

 G.C.B. P.R.S. Sfc. SfC. Read December 5, 1816. [Phil. Trans. 

 1817, p. 36.] 



The great loss formerly experienced by the mustiness of imported 

 {Train, led the author, some years ago, to the means now described 

 .of removing the taint, and which he conceive? may be advantageously 



