214 TORPEDO. 



eular, and thicker than any of the ray kind ; the skin is soft, 

 smooth, and yellowish, marked with large annular spots; 

 the tail tapers to a point ; and the whole weight is some- 

 times eighty pounds. 



The shock given by the torpedo greatly resembles that 

 produced by the stroke of electricity. Even if any one 

 steps on it, or touches it with a stick, the effects are 

 sudden and irresistible. The shock produces likewise a 

 universal tremor, a sickness of stomach, a general con- 

 vulsion, and a temporary suspension of the mental facul- 

 ties. The negroes, however, are said to handle it without 

 feeling any inconvenience ; but the means by which they 

 effect this is merely by holding their breath during the 

 time. 



This quality of the torpedo, however, by no means 

 affects its flesh, which is frequently eaten by the French 

 and other nations. It is a native of the Mediterranean 

 and many other seas, and it is not unfrequently found on 

 the British coasts. 



The following experiment was made by Mr. Walsh, in 

 the presence of the Rochelle academicians, for tracing and 

 ascertaining the circuit of the electric matter issuing from 

 this fish. 



A living torpedo being laid on a table in a wet napkin, 

 five persons stood insulated round another table ; and two 

 brass wires, each thirteen feet long, were suspended from 

 the ceiling by silk strings. One of the wires rested by 

 one end on the wet napkin, and the other was immersed in 

 a basin full of water, placed on the second table, on which 

 stood also four other basins of water. The first person 

 put a finger of one hand into the water in which the wire 

 was immersed, and a finger of the other hanl into the 

 second, and so on success 'vely, till all the five persons 

 communicated with each other by the water in the basins.. 

 One end of the second wire was dipped in the last basin, 

 and with the other end Mr. Walsh touched the back of 

 the torpedo ; on which the five persons felt an instant 

 shock, differing in no respect from that of the Leyden 



