472 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



This power in the Torpedo appears to extend on both sides from 

 the head to the tail, and consists of longitudinal bands or fibres, 

 containing membranous elongations forming hollow tubes, some 

 of which are quadrangular, others hexagonal, pentagonal and 

 polygonal, each of which are divided by a membrane into dissepi- 

 ments, connected together by blood-vessels. In each organ there 

 are about one thousand tubes, which I suppose form the electric 

 power ; these tubes are all closed by coming in contact with the 

 skin, and are all filled with a species of jelly. I imagine the 

 upper surface of the longitudinal bands forms the positive electri- 

 city, and the lower the negative. The back of the torpedo is 

 convex when lying in a natural position, but the moment he 

 strikes it becomes concave. Immediate contact with the object 

 struck is not necessary, as he can destroy at a distance, and 

 always emits a spark of electricity. These extraordinary batte- 

 ries were given this class of animals not only to defend them- 

 selves, but to obtain subsistence. They are much dreaded by all 

 voracious fish, as they invariably feel invisible strokes whenever 

 they approach. 



The Electric Eel {Gymnotus) — Possesses a battery twelve times 

 more powerful than the torpedo, and is as much feared by man 

 as the inhabitants of its native waters. Mules, horses and other 

 animals, have been frequently destroyed by passing through 

 creeks infested by them. They may be found in every pond and 

 stream of water from the 10th degree of north latitude to the 

 equator. 



Its organs of electricity, four in number, are situated directly 

 under the tail, occupying nearly a third part of the fish, and 

 forming a battery equal to twelve hundred square feet. By 

 placing both feet upon an ordinary sized eel, fresh from the water, 

 a shock will be experienced far more violent than that produced 

 by a Leyden phial, or the pile of Volta. 



The same shock received in the vicinity of the heart would 

 cause instant death. If you lay but one hand on the eel, a mod- 

 erate shock will be felt, but if both hands are so placed they will 

 be paralyzed for years. Still, if the person is afflicted witli ner- 

 vous fever, no shock will be experienced. 



