Class IV. E L E C T R I C R A Y. 91 



But the acknowledgements of every naturalift 

 are due to John Waljh^ Efquire, for his curious 

 and unwearied refearches into the nature of this 

 fifh ; and for the firfl certainty we had of its being 

 a native of our feas. To him I am particularly 

 bound, for being enabled to corredt my errors in 

 the former account. 



IT is frequently taken in 'Torhay, has been 

 once caught off Pembroke^ and fometimes near 

 Wat erf or d in Ireland, It is generally taken, like 

 other flat fifh, with the trawl ; but there is an in- 

 ftance of its taking a bait, which vindicates the 

 fine account that Oppian has left us of this fifh. 

 It commonly lies in water of about forty fa- 

 thoms depth ; and in company with the congene- 

 rous Rays. 



The torpedo brings forth its young at the autum- 

 nal equinox as afHrmed by Arifiotle, A gentleman 

 of h Rochelle^ on dilTedling certain females of this 

 fpecies, the loth of September^ found in the ma- 

 trices^ feveral of the fcetufes quite formed, and nine 

 egg?, in no ftate of forwardnefs : fuperfostation 

 feems therefore to be a property of this fifh. 



The food of the torpedo is fifh ; a furmullet and 



a plaife having been found in the ftomach of 



two of them. The furmullet is a fifh of that 



fwiftnefs, that it was impofTible for the torpedo tQ 



take it by purfuit. It is probable, that by their 



eleclric ftroke, they flupify their prey ; yet the crab 



and fea keeh will venture to annoy thpm, 



They 



