That it is a real eledric fhock, not differing from that 

 which is received from an eledrical machine, has been 

 clearly proved by repeated experiments; particularly 

 by thofe of Mr. Walih, related in the Philofophical 

 Tranfadions ; from which it appears that the mock is 

 communicated at the fame inftant to a number of per- 

 forms joining hands. The fifh however which we now 

 proceed to defcribe, is poffelfed of a much greater 

 fhare of natural eledricity than the Torpedo : fo power- 

 ful is the mock which this fifh, in its native rivers, and 

 in full vigour, is capable of inflicting, that it is faid to 

 deprive almoil entirely of feme and motion for fame 

 minutes, fucli as are expofed to its approach, and that, 

 in confequence of this violent exertion of its eledricity, 

 it has fometimes proved fatal to fuch as have incau- 

 tioufly ventured to fwim in the fame water. It is by 

 the power of eledricity that the Gymnotus fupports 

 its exigence : whatever fmaller fiOi or other animals 

 happen to approach it are infiantly ftupefied, and fall 

 an eafy prey to the eledrical tyrant. 



Some years ago fome of thefe curious fifth were 

 brought alive from Surinam into this kingdom, and 

 were publickly exhibited at London and elfewhere. It 

 is a fifli of a difagreeable appearance, and on a curfory 

 view is not much unlike a large eel. Its colour is 

 blackifh, and it has a power of Ihortening at pleafure 

 the length of its body, by the contradion of its mufcu- 

 lar fibres, and again relaxing and extending itfelf to its 

 former length. The head is fhort, fomewhat broader 

 than the body, and a little depreffed or flattened *. the 

 eyes are very fmall ; the mouth large, and both jaws 

 are furnifhed with a great many very fmall (harp teeth. 



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