VOL. LXIV.] PHILOSOPHICAL TKANSACTIONS. 571 



Its back, was of a dark ash colour, with somewhat of a purple cast, but not 

 at all mottled like those of the Atlantic coast of France, nor regularly marked 

 with eyes, as they have been called, like some found in the Mediterranean. Its 

 under part was white, skirted however with the same ash colour, which towards 

 the tail became almost universal. The side fins, being a little contracted and 

 curled up, prevented the precise measurement of its breadth, but it appeared to 

 hold the general proportion observed in those of Rochelle ; that is, the breadth 

 was -5- of the length. Its electric organs likewise were proportionate with theirs, 

 each organ measuring 15 inches in extreme length, and 8 in extreme breadth. 

 In short, the torpedo of Torbay no way differed from those seen in the Bay of 

 Biscay, but in size and colour : and perhaps this difference may be thought 

 rather casual than denoting a specific distinction. 



It was a female, without any signs of pregnancy. The intestines contained, 

 with some black slime, 2 vertebras of a fish, seemingly of the cod kind. The 

 electric organs of this torpedo were likewise injected by Mr. Hunter, though 

 not with his first success, from the bursting of the artery in the operation ; he 

 determined however the number of columns, in one organ, to amount to 1182, 

 and fully confirmed the observation he formerly made, that their numerous 

 horizontal partitions were very vascular. 



The frequent, and perhaps favourite situation of the torpedo, is to lie in 

 concealment under sand. If it be placed by design, as it is sometimes left by 

 accident, in any hollow of a sandy beach, whence the tide has just retired, it 

 swims to that brink where the water is still draining away, and- on finding itself 

 unable, after repeated attempts, to push itself over the shallow, and follow the 

 course of the tide, it begins with admirable address to bury itself in the sand, 

 and by a gentle but quick flapping of its extremities all round, soon sinks itself 

 a bed, and in the action throws the sand in a light shower over its back. 

 Neither the animal nor the spot it is in can now be distinguished ; save only 

 that, on a nice search, its two small inspiratory foramina, and their membranes 

 at play, may be perceived. It is in this situation that the torpedo gives his 

 most forcible shock, which throws down the astonished passenger who inadver- 

 tently steps on him. 



Mr. W. has thus shown that Great-Britain too claims the torpedo, or electric 

 ray; that ours is the broad marine sort, which Socrates, as Meno thought, resem- 

 bled ; and that it is the black torpedo, whose influence subdues obstinate head- 

 achs, and the gout itself.* In announcing to our naturalists and electricians 

 the presence of this wonderful guest, Mr. W. says, he should certainly felici- 



• Scribonius Largus, cap. I, and 41. See also several of the early physicians, Roman and 

 Arabian, for different cures attributed by them to the effect of the torpedo. — Orig. 



4d2 



