25 



HI -TORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



lifteen or twenty of this species to be taken by hook and line, and 



m 



for several years in succession, in the spring of the year. Although I had supposed it 

 was a southern species, this was the first positive information I had received of its being 

 taken south of Cape Cod. During the latter part of October, 1845, Captain Atwood 

 brought l'rom Provincetown to Boston a living specimen, weighing about sixty pounds. 

 It was found near the shore apparently benumbed, and was readily dragged ashore by 



rope 



to its tail. In company with my friend, J. B. S. Jackson, M.D., I visited 

 it while it was still alive in the well of the smack in which it had been brought. 



[![>on its being lifted upon the wet deck 



S 



a distinct shock. This shock 



scarcely perceptible while the fish was quiet, and was most marked when the portion di- 

 rectly ovei the electrical organs was excited. The most powerful effect was produced 

 by seizing the tail with one hand, and grasping that portion of the pectoral fins which is 

 supplied with nerves from the fifth pair; here, quite a shock was perceived in the arms 



as high as the elbo 



I 



ter, i- 



shock produced by this fish, when in the 



tible 



The following anecdote I copy from my Report : ". Mr. Newcomb 



the oldest fisherman in Boston market, stated to me, that his father, who resided 



Welllleet, had a dog which frequently waded into the shallow water of the 



and 



brought out flounders which he had seized with his mouth 



sions lie attacked a 



• 



In one of his fishing 



attacked a torpedo, which perfectly convulsed him; he dropped the fish, and 

 ran away howling most piteously, and could never be persuaded to resume his fishing." 

 Captain Atwood informs me that he has received a great many very powerful shocks 

 which have thrown him upon the ground as quick as if he had been knocked dow 



an axe. He has also received many shocks- by taking hold of the pole of an harpoon 

 when he was at the distance of eight or ten feet from the fish; and he has also felt it: 

 effects when holding the rope attached to the harpoon ; but in this, and in removing the 

 liver from the fish when it is nearly dead, there is generally nothing more than a numb 

 ness felt in the fingers, and they seem inclined to straighten ; so that he has known it U 

 be difficult to grasp the handle of the knife while cutting the fish. 



The smallest individuals 

 think- the largest may weigh fi 



The larger circumference of any of them, is about 

 their oil. 



exceed twenty pounds in weight, while Capt. A 



hundred and seventy 



hundred pound 



feet 



th 



of the fishermen ha\ 



of the largest specimens yield about three g 

 pint ; the ordinary sized livers furnish from 



They 



taken for 



hen exteriorly applied, and relieve 



opinion that this 



able 



of oil ; those of 

 to two gallons. 



cases of cramp 



amp in the stomach when internally administered 



