666 PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. [aNNO 1775. 



latitude of the place; which comes out 52° 38' very exactly. Next follow a few 

 observed occultations ; and some solar transits, to examine the clock. 



XXXVI. Remarks and Considerations relative to the Performance of Amputation 

 above the Knee, by the Single Circular Incision. By Benjamin Gooch, Sur- 

 geon, at Norwich, p. 273. 



Reprinted in Mr. Gooch's Chirurgical Works, 3 vols. 8vo., 1792. 



XXXVII. Concerning Aneurysms in the Thigh. By Benjamin Gooch, Surgeon, 



at Norwich, p. 378. 

 May be consulted in Mr. Gooch's Chirurgical Works above referred to. 



XXXVIII. An Account of further Discoveries in Air. By the Rev. Joseph 



Priestley, LL. D., F. R. S. p. 384. 



Reprinted in Dr. Priestley's collected works on different Kinds of Air. 



XXXIX. An Account of the Gymnotus Electricus. By John Hunter, F. R. S. 



p. 395. 



To Mr. Walsh, the first discoverer of animal electricity, the learned will be 

 indebted for whatever the following pages may contain, either curious or useful. 

 The specimen of the animal which they describe was procured by that gentle- 

 man, and at his request this dissection was performed, and this account of it is 

 communicated. 



This fish, on the first view, appears very much like an eel, from which 

 resemblance it has most probably got its name ; but it has none of the specific 

 properties of that fish. This animal may be considered, both anatomically and 

 physiologically, as divided into 2 parts ; viz. the common animal part ; and a 

 part which is superadded, viz. the peculiar organ. I shall at present consider it 

 only with respect to the last ; as the first explains nothing relating to the other, 

 nor any thing relating to the animal economy of fish in general. The first, or 

 common animal part, is so contrived as to exceed what was necessary for itself, 

 in order to give situation, nourishment, and most probably the peculiar property 

 to the second. The last part, or peculiar organ, has an immediate connection 

 with the first ; the body affording it a situation ; the heart, nourishment ; and 

 the brain, nerves, and probably its peculiar powers. For the first of these pur- 

 poses, the body is extended out in length, being much longer than would be 

 sufficient for what may be called its progressive motion. For the real body, or 

 that part where the viscera and parts of generation lie, is situated, with respect 

 to the head, as in other fish, and is extremely short ; so that, according to the 

 ordinary proportions, this should be a very short fish. Its great length, there- 

 fore, seems chiefly intended to afford a surface for the support of the peculiar 



