THE ELECTRICAL RAY. 



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 marmoratus. a, cerebrum: &, the medulla ; c, spinal cord ; 

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

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

 organ entire ; g 1 ', right electric organ dissected to show the distribution of the nerves ; 

 h, the last of the hrauchial chambers ; i, mucus-secreting tubes. From Gervais 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 



