350 ZOOLOGY. 



circular, the anterior edge of which is formed by two pro- 

 longations of the muzzle, which on each side proceed to unite 

 with the pectoral fins, and leave between these organs, the 

 head and the branchiae, an oval space, in which is lodged the 

 electric apparatus of the fish. This apparatus (Fig. 321) is 

 composed of a number of vertical membranous tubes closely 

 packed, like honeycomb, and subdivided by horizontal parti- 

 tions filled with mucosities, and animated by several very large 

 branches of the pneumogastric nerve. In these singular 

 organs is produced the electricity, which has now been proved 

 to resemble in every respect common electricity. These ani- 

 mals are less powerful than the gymnotus. By experiment, 

 it has been ascertained that this property depends on the 

 posterior lobe of the epcephalon, and that by destroying this 

 lobe, or cutting the nerves proceeding from it, the faculty is 

 lost. They are found in the seas on the coast of La Vendee 

 and Provence.* 



Pig. 322. Electric Malapterurus. 



Finally, the silurus electricus or malapterurus (Fig. 322), is 

 a native of the Nile and the Senegal ; its length varies from 

 a foot to fifteen inches, and its electric properties seem to 

 reside in a particular space, situated between the skin of the 

 flanks and the muscles, resembling a leafed cellular tissui-. 

 The Arabs call it the raasch, which signifies thunder. 



490. Fishes multiply by means of eggs, and a single 

 spawning in some produces hundreds of thousands. In 

 general they have only a mucilaginous protecting envelope, 

 and they are hatched after spawning without any care on the 

 part of the parent. But some are ovo viviparous. However this 

 may be, they are all abandoned bv their parents, and many 

 perish. It is probably owing to the circumstances connected 

 with the birth, that fishes are found in vast troops called by 



* The Romans were well acquainted with the electric properties of the 

 Torpedo, and used them for the cure of paralysis. B. K. 



