109 



conformation differing from the Ray kind ; yet such 

 are the wonderful powers it possesses, that in an in- 

 stant it can pan'.yse the hand or body that touches it, 

 and cause for a while a total suspension of the mental 

 I'aculties. Reaumer has by several experiments at- 

 tempted to demonstrate, that it is not necessarily, but 

 by a voluntary effort, that the Torpedo benumbs the 

 hand that touches it. On every trial he could readily 

 perceive when it intended to give the stroke, and 

 when it was about to continue inoffensive. In pre- 

 paring to give the shock, it flattened its back, raised 

 Its head and tail, and then, by a violent contraction in 

 the opposite direction, struck with its back against 

 the finger that touched it; and its body, which before 

 was flat, became round and lumped. It is said, that 

 the negroes can handle the Torpedo without being 

 affected ; and we are told the whole secret of securing 

 themselves from its bite consists in keeping respira- 

 tion suspended at the time. The electrical power, 

 however, is known to terminate with the life of the 

 animal, and when dead, it is handled or eaten with 

 perfect safety. It is an inhabitant of the Northern, 

 European, and the Mediterranean seas. 



Sea Horse (Syngathus Hippocampus). 



The Hippocampus is a fish of a highly singular 

 appearance. In its dry Or contracted state, this ani- 

 mal exhibits the fancied resemblance from which it 

 takes its name ; but in the living fish, this appearance 

 is somewhat less striking, the head and tail being car- 

 ried nearly straight. It is a native of the Mediter- 

 ranean, Northern, and Atlantic seas. A finer speci- 

 men of this species of Pipe-fish is in another place, 

 under a glass ; and one of a more curious form, the 

 Foliated Pipe-fish. 



Five-raj/ed Star-jish (Asterias Layigataj. 



