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the body gradually diminifhes in fize t8 

 the tail, which ends in a point, with- 

 out a fin. Under the belly is a flefhy 

 fin, about half an inch in thickriefB, and 

 hear three inches wide, extending from 

 the head to the point of the tail, but 

 diminifhing in width, as the body di- 

 minifhes in foe : this, with the two 

 fins on the hdad, are all that are found 

 on the body of this Eel, which Would 

 be nearly round if deprived of the belly- 

 fin. This Fifh frequently refpires, and 

 elevates his head above the furface of 

 the water every four or five minutes fof 

 that purpofe. But the moft curious pro- 

 perty of the Torporific Eel is, that wheii 

 it is touched either by the naked hand, 

 or by a rod of iron, gold, filver, copper, 

 &c. held in the hand, or by a flick o( 

 fome particular kinds of heavy American 

 wood, it communicates a ihock per- 

 fectly refembling that of Electricity, 

 which is commonly fo violent, that but 

 few are willing to fuffer it a fecond time. 



This 



