85 NATURALIST'S CABINET. 



Remarks by Mr. Hunter. 



thick, and a middling-sized torpedo to contain 

 in both organs, on the whole, 1000 columns each 

 an inch long, and 0.03 square inches area at the 

 base, then 1000X 150X0.3= 4500 square inches. 

 Now it has been clearly proved that the capacity 

 of stout glass is thirty-six times less than that of 

 these organs; therefore both the organs of a 

 middling-sized torpedo will be equivalent to 

 4500X36 = 162,000 square inches, or 1125 square 

 feet of glass. The nerves inserted into each or- 

 gan arise by three very large trunks from the 

 lateral and posterior part of the brain. These, 

 having entered the organs, ramify in every direc- 

 tion between the columns. The number and 

 magnitude are extremely great; and it is sup- 

 posed that they are subservient to the formation, 

 collection, and management of the torpedinal 

 fluid." 



The head and the body of the torpedo are in- 

 distinct from each other, and nearly of a circular 

 form, two or three inches thick in the middle, 

 attenuating to extreme thinness on the edges. 

 The skin is smooth, of a dusky brown colour 

 above, and white underneath. The ventral fins 

 form on each side, at the end of the body, nearly 

 a quarter of a circle. The tail is short, and the 

 two dorsal fins are placed near its origin. The 

 mouth is small, and, as in the other species, there 

 are on each side below it five breathing apertures. 



The electric rays are found in many of the 

 European seas, and the fishermen often discover 



