178 



CLASSIFICATION OF FISHES. 



but one mentioned by Pennant 

 was nearly four, and weighed 

 fifty- three pounds : the colour 

 of the upper surface is different 

 shades of brown, sometimes 

 marked with obscure ocellate 

 spots ; the under surface is 

 whitish or flesh-coloured. Like 

 others of this family, the tor- 

 pedo seems to lay in wait for 

 its prey, partly buried in the 

 sandy bottom of the sea ; and 

 this is effected by the animal 

 quickly flapping all its fins, so 

 as to cast the surrounding 

 sand partially over its body. 

 According to Pennant, it preys upon surmullets, plaice, 

 &c, which have been found in their stomach : in what 

 manner, however, these swift swimming fish are caught 

 — whether by a sudden dart of the torpedo from its 

 ambush, or by exerting its electric faculty — must re- 

 main undetermined. Before detailing the effects of this 

 power, we shall give the reader the following abstract of 

 Dr. Hunter's description of the organs which produce 

 them. 



(158.) The electric organs constitute a pair of gal- 

 vanic batteries, disposed in the form of perpendicular 

 hexagonal columns, placed on each side of the head and 

 gills, from whence they extend to the semicircular carti- 

 lages of the pectorals ; within these limits they occupy 

 the whole space between the skin of the upper and of 

 the under surface : they are thickest at the edges, near 

 the centre of the fish, and become gradually thinner 

 towards the extremities. Each electric organ, at its inner 

 longitudinal edge, is a convex elliptic curve ; each is 

 attached to the surrounding parts by a close cellular 

 membrane, and also by short and strong tendinous fibres, 

 which pass directly across from its outer edge to the 

 semicircular cartilages ; and they are covered, above and 



