ELECTRIC RAY. 413 



" So long ago as the time of Dioscorides, the physician of 

 Anthony and Cleopatra, the shock of this fish was recom- 

 mended for medical purposes, and especially for pains of the 

 head ; and this may be considered as the earliest record of the 

 application of electricity to medicine. In later times, it was 

 applied to the cure of gout ; the patient being directed to 

 keep his foot on the fish until the numbness extended to the 

 knees. Baron Humboldt remarks, that the will of the fish 

 directs the effect to whatever part it feels most strongly irri- 

 tated, but only under the influence of the brain and heart. 

 When a fish was cut through the middle, the fore part of the 

 body alone gave shocks." 



But little of its habits are known : it is said to prefer soft 

 and muddy ground, where its actions are slow and inert. It 

 is rare on the British coast ; but two or three species inhabit 

 the Mediterranean, and others have been found in various 

 parts of the world. Not being certain of the British species, 

 no description is ventured upon. The observer on our coast 

 who obtains a specimen will find specific characters in the 

 Regne Animal, and in the Faune Fran^aise. 



The vignette below represents a view of Erith Church, 





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