OF THE GYMNOTUS TRIBE. ELECTRICAL EEL. 41'j 



this happen to be so large as not otherwise to be immediately over- 

 come, we are told that 

 the Conger will coil its 

 body round, and thus 

 prevent its escape ; 

 whilst in the mean time, 

 it kills it by means of 

 its teeth. It devours 

 great quantities of the 

 dilVerent species of Cu;- 



l!e-fish, and other soft marine animals, which have not sufficient 



agility or address to escape from its pursuit. 



Until the Congers are grown to a size so large that they are able 



stoutly to defend themselves, they are liable to attack from numerous 



foes. The Wolf-fish, all the larger species of Kays, and even the sea 



Craw- fish, arid Lobsters, destroy them in vast numbers. 



During the winter months, it is said that these fish conceal them- 



telves deep in the mud; and that, so long as the cold weather lasts, 



they seldom come forth from their retreats. 



OF THE GYMNOTUS TRIBE IN GENERAL. 



SOME of the species of Gymnotus inhabit the fresh waters, and 

 others live in the ocean. They are all, except three, confined to 

 America. 



THE ELECTBICAL GYMXOTUS, OB EEL. 



These fishes possess the singular property of giving a shock, (similar 



in its effects to that produced 

 from a charged jar,) fo any 

 body, or any number of bodies 

 connected together. 



On touching an Electrical 

 Eel with one hand, a sensation 

 is experienced similar to that 

 arising from touching the 

 conductor of an electrical 

 machine: with a short iron 

 rod the same was felt, but less 

 powerfully. While another person provoked the fish, Dr. Williamson 

 put his hand into the water at the distance of three feet from it, and 

 felt an unpleasant sensation in the joints of his fingers. Some small 

 fish were thrown into the water, and the animal immediately stunned 

 and swallowed them. A larger fish was thrown in, which he stunned 

 likewise and attempted to swallow; but, from its size, he could not do 

 o Dr. Williamson put his hand into the water, and had another 



