348 



ZOOLOGY. 



an electric shock. The torpedo, the silurus or malapterurus, 

 and a species of gymnotus have this power ; and what is very 

 remarkable is, that the electric organ presents a different 

 conformation in each. 



Fig. 319. The Gymnotus Electricus. 



The gymnotus, or electric eel of Surinam (Fig. 319), pos- 

 sesses the power in the highest degree ; it resembles an eel, 

 but it has no fins towards the extremity of the tail, and it 

 has no distinctly visible scales. It attains sometimes six feet 

 in length, and the skin is covered with a 

 gluey matter. It is met with in vast num- 

 bers in the rivulets and stagnant waters 

 of the immense plains of South America, 

 The electric shocks, which it discharges at 

 will, are sufficiently strong to kill men and 

 horses ; and being transmissible through 

 water, the gymnotus does not require 

 to touch its prey. At first the electric 

 discharges are feeble, but when roused 

 they become terrible ; but by this effort it 

 becomes exhausted, and requires repose be- 

 fore it can renew the attack; this is the 

 moment its captors avail themselves of to 

 Fig 320 The Com- 8e ^ ze & Wild horses are driven into the 

 mon Torpedo, waters inhabited by these fishes, and on 

 these the gymnoti expend the first shocks'; 

 being thus exhausted, they are easily taken by the net or 

 harpoon. The electric organs of the gymnotus are arranged 

 along the back and tail in four longitudinal fasciculi, com- 



