THE ELECTRIC BATTERY. 



485 



Electricity is now poured into the interior of the jar, and, 

 when contact is made between the inner and outer coatings, 

 a sudden discharge takes place. If a number of persons hold 

 each other's hands, and those who form the two extremities touch 

 the outer coating and the ball which communicates with the inner 

 coating, a sharp discharge is at once made, passing through all the 

 bodies, and inflicting a smart shock, especially at the elbows. 



Similar effects can be produced with the Voltaic Battery, 

 but, as that instrument has already been figured, the Electric 

 Jar has been selected. Of course any number of such jars can 

 be connected together, and the shock will be proportionately 

 increased in intensity. 



In Nature we have several-parallels. Putting aside the 

 o bvious one of a lightning-flash, which has already been 



ELECTKIC EEL. 



ELECTRIC BATTERY. 



mentioned, we pass to two remarkable examples of the capability 

 of animal structure to produce electricity, to store it up, so to 

 speak, and discharge it at will. Both these creatures are fishes, 

 one belonging to the Skates or Rays, and the other to the Eels. 



The upper figure on the left-hand side of the illustration 

 represents the Torpedo, sometimes called the Cramp-fish, 

 Numb-fish, or Electric Ray. Fortunately for us, it is but 

 seldom found on our coasts, but it is tolerably common in the 

 warmer parts of the world. 



The electric organ in this fish is double, and so large that its 

 shape can easily be recognised even through the skin. It is made 

 up of a vast number of discs arranged upon each other in columns 

 like the metallic portions of the Voltaic Pile, and separated 



