306 



TORPEDO RAY. 



net, being frequently dipped into water and raised 

 again, gave, from the surface of the water, slight 

 shocks, through the net, to the person holding it." 



" These experiments in water manifested, that 

 bodies, immersed in that element, might be affected 

 by immediate contact with the Torpedo ; that the 

 shorter the circuit in which the electricity moved, 

 the greater would be the effect ; and that the shock 

 was communicable, from the animal in water, to 

 persons in air, through some substances." 



" Flow far harpoons and nets, consisting of wood 

 and hemp, could in like circumstances, as it has 

 been frequently asserted, convey the effect, was 

 not so particularly tried as to enable us to confirm 

 it. I mention the omission in hope that some one 

 may be induced to determine the point by express 

 trial." 



" We convinced ourselves, on former occasions, 

 that the accurate Kaempfer, who so well describes 

 the effect of the Torpedo, and happily compares it 

 with lightning, was deceived in the circumstance, 

 that it could be avoided by holding in the breath, 

 which we found no more to prevent the shock of 

 the Torpedo, when he was disposed to give it, than 

 it would prevent the shock of the Leyden phial." 



Several persons, forming as many distinct cir- 

 cuits, can be affected by one stroke of the animal, 

 as well as when joined in a single circuit. For in- 

 stance, four persons, touching separately his upper 

 and lower surfaces, were all affected two persons 

 likewise, after the electricity had passed through a 

 wire into a basin of water, transmitted it from 



