CLASS OF FISHES. 



385 



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 

 animals are less powerful than the gymnotus. By experiment, 

 it has been ascertained that this property depends on the 

 posterior lobe of the encephalon, 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.* 



Fig. 396. Electric Apparatus of the Torpedo.f 



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

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

 f o, the brain ; me, spinal marrow ; o, eye and optic nerve ; e, electric 

 C C 



