Royal Physical Society. 61 



ocelli bulb, and 2 at each of the smaller ones ; even this difference in the 

 number of tentacula, &c, ought not to put it out of court, for I have seen, 

 and have a long list of notes and numerous drawings of the strange changes 

 from the young to the adult state of these lovely gems. At present 

 I cannot spare the time to make the drawings and extend the notes. I 

 present this fact, so that others may be aware that such transformations 

 are to be met with on our own coasts, and that by watching for shells 

 from deep water thus begemmed, a series of observations may be made, 

 and more facts collected, so that the true nature and phases of these Pro- 

 teus-lite objects may be made out. 



TV. A Letter was read from the Rev. H. M. Waddell, Old Calabar, to 

 Andrew Murray, Esq., containing additional information re- 

 garding the new Electric Fish (Malapterurus Beninensis, Mur.) 



Mr Waddell writes as follows : — " As you attach some importance to 

 an observation I had formerly made concerning the power of the small 

 electric fish of this river to benumb other fish with which they come into 

 contact, I should have verified my observation by renewed experiments, 

 An opportunity soon offered of accomplishing this object, and I now com- 

 municate the result, which you will probably deem to be of a very satis- 

 factory description. I have four electric fish in a large basin, the largest 

 about six inches long, and as thick as the neck of a quart bottle ; the 

 smallest about three inches long, and the thickness of your finger. They 

 have been there in a healthy state for some months. I procured eight 

 small fishes, varying from two to three and a half inches in length, which 

 I put in with the others. The electric fish continued, as usual, side by side, 

 quiescent at the bottom, while their visitors swam and darted about in 

 a lively manner, and even ventured down among their dangerous neigh- 

 bours, rousing them to activity, passing through their ranks, and dis- 

 turbing them not a little, without seeming to be either afraid of them or 

 molested by them. They frequently rubbed sides without any effect 

 similar to what I had before observed being produced, and I began to fear 

 that my former observation would not be confirmed. Having watched 

 their movements in vain, I retired for a while, but returned in half an 

 hour to see how they were getting on. I then found the new-comers, all 

 but one, the largest of them, lying at the bottom among the electric fish. 

 Having taken out the seven which were evidently struck, I found four of 

 the smallest quite dead and stiff, their backs twisted or curved, and their 

 mouths gaping open. Three of them, though much benumbed, revived 

 when transferred to another basin of water, and, after an hour or two, 

 recovered perfectly, and were as lively as before. The one which escaped 

 at first was left with his dangerous companions, but was not so lively as 

 at the first. It would swim about a little, then sink, as:ain rise and make 



