110 THE ELECTRICAL EEL. 



enoimous size. Some have been taken which measured ten feet 

 and a half in length, and eighteen inches in circumference. Tne 

 rlesh of the young ones, which are commonly called elves, is ex- 

 ceedingly delicious. 



The conger is extremely voracious, preying on every creature, 

 living or dead, without exception. In Cornwall, these fishes 

 constitute a lucrative branch of commerce, great numbers being 

 caught on that coast, and, when cured, exported to Spain and 

 Portugal. They are caught by various methods ; but the fisher- 

 men are extremely afraid of the longer kinds, lest they should 

 entangle them by twisting round their legs ; and therefore, when 

 taken, they despatch them as soon as possible. They are com- 

 mon among the Hebrides ; and Mr. Pennant supposes that the 

 establishment of a conger fishery would be of singular advan- 

 tage to the natives. 



THE ELECTRICAL EEL 



Is not only the most remarkable fish of this kind, but one of 

 the most extraordinary creatures that Nature, in her incalculable 

 variety, has produced. It is a fresh-water fish, found in the 

 river of Surinam, in South America. 



For the most important particulars relative to the description 

 and history of this natural phenomenon, we are indebted to Mr. 

 Bancroft and Dr. Garden, of South Carolina. The latter of 

 these gentlemen had an opportunity of inspecting, at one time, 

 five of these fishes, which had been taken in that river. The 

 largest measured about three feet eight inches in length, and 

 from ten to fourteen inches in circumference. Its head was 

 large, broad, and flat, and the mouth marked here and there 

 with holes, as if perforated with a blunt needle. The eyes were 

 small, and of a bluish colour ; and the whole body, from about 

 four inches below the head, was clearly distinguished into four 

 longitudinal stripes, or divisions. Across the body were a num- 

 ber of annular bands, or wrinkles, which gave it a worm-like ap- 

 pearance, by means of which the fish ltad the power of shortening 

 or lengthening itself like a worm, and could swim either forward 

 or backward. There were two pectoral fins behind the head, 

 scarcely an inch long ; and these the fish seemed to use chiefly 

 for the purpose of raising its head out of the water, which it fre- 

 quently did for the sake of breaching. 



The electrical eel gives to any person, or number of persons 

 joining hands, that touch it, a most violent shock, which, like 

 that of electricity, may be communicated through a metallic con 

 ductor. This shock is indeed attended with all the phenomena 

 and effects of that produced by the 'electrical machine, so far as 

 experiment has hitherto enabled us to discover. A power so 



