602 GYMNOTUS, OK ELECTRIC EEL. 



The natives of Venezuela employ a cruel mode of catching 

 the creatures, which, notwithstanding their nature, they use 

 as food. Placing but little value on mules and horses, they 

 collect a number of these animals, and, armed with harpoons 

 and long slender rods, drive them with shouts towards a pool 

 inhabited by gymnoti. The noise of the horses' hoofs and 

 the men's shrieks make the fish issue from the mud, when the 

 huge, hideous creatures swim on the surface of the water, and 

 crowd under the bellies of the horses and mules. Some of 

 the Indians climb the trees ; others stand round the margin, 

 urging forward the unfortunate animals, and preventing them 

 from making their escape. The fish defend themselves by fre- 

 quent discharges of their electric batteries. At first they seem 

 likely to prove victorious. Some of the quadrupeds sink be- 

 neath the violence of the invisible strokes which they receive 

 from all sides, and, stunned by the force and frequency of 

 the shocks, disappear under water ; others, with their manes 

 erect and eye-balls wild with pain, strive to escape the elec- 

 tric storm which they have aroused, but are driven back by 

 the shouts and long whips of the excited Indians. The livid, 

 yellow eels, like great water-snakes, swim near the surface 

 and pursue their enemy. After the conflict has lasted a 

 quarter of an hour or so, the mules and horses appear less 

 alarmed. They no longer erect their manes, and their eyes 

 express less pain and terror. The eel-like creatures, instead 

 of advancing as at first, swim to the shore, when the Indians 

 attack them with their harpoons, and by means of a long cord 

 attached to it, jerk the fish out of the water, without receiv- 

 ing any shock, as long as the cord remains dry. 



Such is the description given by Humboldt, a witness of 

 the extraordinary scene. The employment of their electric 



