THE ELECTRICAL EEL. 



17 



ELECTRICAL EEL, 

 (GYJtXOTUS ELECTRICUS.) 



the Granges to the La Plata, and from the coast of Africa to the 

 mountain-plain of Antisana, which is more elevated than the 

 lofty peak of Tenerifife. Here the northern birch-tree, there 

 the date-palm, protects the tired ox from the heat of the mid- 

 day sun. The same species of animal which contends in eastern 

 Europe with bears and wolves, is attacked in another zone by 

 the tiger and the crocodile.' 



But it is not the jaguar and the alligator alone which lie in 

 wait for the South American horse, for even among the fishes 

 he has a dangerous enemy. The 

 rivers and marshes of the Llanos 

 are often filled with electrical eels, 

 which send forth at will from the 

 under part of the tail a stunning 

 shock. These eels are from five to six feet long. They are able, 

 when in full vigour, to kill the largest animals, when they sud- 

 denly unload their electrical organs in a favourable direction. 

 Humboldt having accidentally set his foot on a gymnote which 

 had just been taken out of the water felt the whole day severe 

 pains in the knees and almost in every joint. Lizards, turtles, and 

 frogs seek the morasses where they are safe from their discharges, 

 and all other fishes, aware of their power, fly at the sight of the 

 formidable gymnotes. They stun even the angler on the high 

 river-bank, the moist line serving as a conductor for the electric 

 fluid. The capture of these eels affords a highly entertaining 

 and animated scene. Mules and horses are driven into the pond 

 which the Indians surround, until the unwonted noise and 

 splashing of the waters rouse the fishes to an attack. Grliding 

 along, they creep under the belly of the horses, many of whom 

 die from the shock of their strokes ; while others, with mane 

 erect, and dilated nostrils, endeavour to flee from the electric 

 storm which they have roused. But the Indians, armed with 

 long poles, drive them back again into the pool. 



Grradually the unequal contest subsides. Like spent thunder- 

 clouds, the exhausted fishes disperse, for they require a long 

 rest and plentiful food to repair the loss of their galvanic powers. 

 Their shocks grow weaker and weaker. Terrified by the noise 

 of the horses, they timidly approach the banks, when, wounded 

 with harpoons, they are dragged on shore with dry and non- 

 conducting pieces of wood ; and thus the strange combat ends. 



