492 FISHES. 



experiment, except in the degree of force. Mr. Walsh, who was 

 not in the circle of conduction, received no shock. This experi,. 

 ment was repeated several times, even with eight persons, and 

 always with the same success. The action of the torpedo is com- 

 municated by the same mediums as that of the electric fluid. The 

 bodies v. hich intercept the action of the one, intercept likewise the 

 action of the other. The effects produced by the torpedo resent 

 ble in every respect a weak electricity. This exhibition of the 

 electric powers of the torpedo, before the academy of La Rochelle, 

 was at a meeting, held for the purpose, in my apartments, on the 

 twenty-second of July, 1772, and stands registered in the jour* 

 nals of the Academy." 



Mr. Walsh, in his paper on this subject, in the Philosophical 

 Transactions, thus continues the account of these interesting ex- 

 periments. '* The effect of the animal, in the above experiments, 

 was transmitted through as great an extent and variety of conduc- 

 tors as almost at any time we had been able to obtain it ; and the 

 experiments included nearly all the points in which its analogy 

 with the Leyden phial had been observed. These points were 

 stated to the gentlemen present; as were the circumstances in 

 which the two effects appeared to vary. It was likewise repre. 

 sented to them, that our experiments had been almost wholly with 

 the animal in air : that its action in water was a capital desidera? 

 turn : that indeed all as yet done was little more than opening the 

 door to inquiry : that much remained to be examined by the elec- 

 trician as well as the anatomist : that, as artificial electricity had 

 thrown light on the natural operation of the torpedo, this might 

 in return, if well considered, throw light on artificial electricity; 

 particularly in those respects in which they now seemed to differ. 

 The torpedo, in these experiments, dispensed only the distinct, 

 instantaneous stroke, so well known by the name of the electric 

 shock. That protracted but lighter sensation, that torpor or 

 numbness which he at times induces, and from which he takes his 

 name, was not then experienced from the animal ; but it was 

 imitated with artificial electricity, and shewu to be producible by 

 a quick consecution of minute shocks. This, in the torpedo, may 

 perhaps be effected by the successive discharge of his numerous 

 cylinders, in the nature of a running fire of musketry : the strong 



