108 PLATYSOMI. 



This eel was a little more than three feet in 

 length, considerably larger than a man's wrist, and 

 of a deep slate color. While confined in a vat, 

 on the eve of sailing, Mr Trask ordered four ne- 

 groes to go and put it into the barrel, in which we 

 afterwards saw it, but they were repeatedly pros- 

 trated to the ground in the attempt, declaring that 

 their elbows were broken. 



General Verveer, a gentleman of great respect- 

 ability, who resided many years in Surinam, as- 

 sured us that he once had an electrical eel, of such 

 extraordinary dimensions, that it was placed in a 

 trough where the cattle were in the habit of go- 

 ing to drink, with reference to sending it abroad ; 

 but some mules being turned loose, went directly 

 to the spot to drink — and four of them were kill- 

 ed in succession, the moment their noses touched 

 the water. 



This electricity both in the torpedo and the 

 gymnotus, is entirely under their control, — and 

 was probably bestowed on them for the purpose 

 of overcoming their prey. The eel has no teeth, — 

 therefore it has a compensation in the wonderful 

 machine within its own body, by which it can re- 

 peat the benumbing influence till it has gorged 

 the victim on which the power has been exerted. 

 Otherwise, in their habits, they may be considered 

 in the water what the anaconda is on the land. 



