TORPEDO RAY. 2gQ 



the whole kingdom of France. Yet this is now the 

 common amusement of philosophical curiosity. 



The observations of the learned Redi and others 

 in the 17th century, had tended, in some degree, 

 to elucidate the peculiar actions and anatomy of 

 the Torpedo; but it was reserved for more modern 

 times, and for our own ingenious countrymen in 

 particular, to explain in a more satisfactory manner 

 the particulars of its history ; and to prove that its 

 power is truly electric. The first experiments of 

 this kind were made by Mr. Walsh of the Royal 

 Society of London, at Rochelle in France, in the 

 year 1772. 



The effect of the Torpedo," says Mr. Walsh, 

 appears to be absolutely electrical, forming its 

 circuit through the same conductors with electricity, 

 and being intercepted by the same non-conductors, 

 as glass and sealing-wax. The back and the breast 

 of the animal appear to be in different states of 

 electricity, I mean in particular the upper and 

 lower surfaces of the two assemblages of pliant 

 cylinders engraved in the work of Lorenzini *. By 

 the knowledge of this circumstance we have been 

 able to direct his shocks, though they were small, 

 through a circuit of four persons, all feeling them, 

 and likewise through a considerable length of wire 

 held by two insulated persons, one touching his 

 lower surface, and the other his upper. When the 

 wire was exchanged for glass or sealing-wax no 

 effect could be obtained : but as soon as it was re- 



* Observazioni intorno alle Torpedini, I67S. 



