20 



ELECTRICAL APPARATUS OF TORPEDO. 



four longitudinal bundles, composed of a great number of parallel 

 membranous plates very closely approaching each other ; these 

 are nearly horizontal, and are united by an infinite number of 

 other smaller plates placed vertically throughout. The small 

 prismatic and transverse cells formed by the union of these plates, 

 are filled with a gelatinous matter ; and the whole apparatus 

 receives very large nerves. 



542. The Torpedo is a flat cartilaginous fish, very much re- 

 sembling the common Rays. Its body is smooth, and represents 



FIG. 263. COMMON 

 TORPEDO. 



FIG. 264. ELECTRICAL APPARATUS OF THE TORPEDO : c, brain ; me, spinal cord ; 

 o, eye and optic nerve ; e, electric organs ; np, pneumo -gastric nerves, proceeding to 

 the electric organ ; nl, branch from the preceding, covering the lateral nerve; n, spinal 

 nerves ; b, gills. 



very nearly a circular disc, whose anterior border is formed by 

 two prolongations of the snout, which go on each side to join 



