121 
on the Torpedo at the Cape of Good Hope. 
found so large ; being never more than eight, nor less than 
five inches in length, and never more than five, nor less than 
three inches and a half in breadth. The colour of the animal 
is various ; the upper surface being generally hazel grey, 
reddish brown, or purple ; the under surface greyish white, 
yellowish white, or white with black patches. 
The columns of the electrical organs were larger, and less 
numerous in proportion, than those described by Mr. Hunter, 
in the torpedo caught at La Rochelle. When separate and 
uninfluenced by external pressure, they appear to be of the 
form of cylinders, as is shown as nearly as possible by sus- 
pending them by one of their extremities. The different 
forms which they exhibit in a horizontal section of the whole 
organ, are produced by their unequal attachment to one 
another by the intermediate reticular substance. 
The electrical organs are so placed within the curvature of 
the semilunar cartilages of the large lateral fins, as to be 
entirely under the influence of the muscles, which are inserted 
into these cartilages. So that in any lateral motions of these 
cartilages towards the trunk, or in any increase of curvature 
of these cartilages, the electrical organs must be compressed. 
There appears also to be a muscular structure, which connects 
the anterior part of these cartilages to a process projecting 
from the anterior part of the cranium, the action of which 
must tend to increase this effect. 
The inferior and posterior terminations of the small lateral 
fins are covered with laminae of osseous matter, which are 
enveloped in the epidermis. 
A much larger proportion of nerves is supplied/to the electri- 
cal than to any other organs. This has appeared to others so 
MDCCCXVI, R 
