[ 467 ] 
was doubtlefs fuch ; and we muft befide confefs 
that, as a rarity, it had been kept too long. 
The firft Torpedo was not weighed ; but Mr. 
Hunter, who examined both, allured me, that they 
appeared to him equal in fize, and alike in every 
other relpedtj indeed their eledtrical organs, pre- 
ferved to this hour, fhew them to have been of the 
fame magnitude. The firft was a female likewife, 
and not pregnant. 
The following accounts were received from Brix- 
ham, concerning Torpedos_found in that quarter. 
From Mr. Philip Lyde, Surgeon at Brixham, who 
forwarded the firft, on the 4th of Auguft, 1773. 
6C I fend a Torpedo, or Numb-fifh, which had, 
tc when living, the greateft effedt, as I am informed 
“ by the men who caught it. There have been 
<f three taken this week. The one fent feems to be 
fi of the largeft fize.” 
In an earlier account, dated the 23d June, it 
is mentioned that one or two are 
week. 
From Mr. Grant, filhmonger, who fent the iecond 
Torpedo, on the 3d November, 17 73. 
“ The Torpedo, of Numb-fifh, is by no means 
“ plenty in thefe parts, as it rarely happens that 
“ more than one is taken at a time ; nor can the 
“ proper feafon for catching them be afcertained, as 
“ they have been feen at all times of the year. The 
“ ufual depth of water in which they are caught is 
tc from thirty-fix to forty fathom ; and being of the 
tc Ray kind, they are commonly taken with them. 
<c As to the time when their young are to be feen, no 
ie fatisfadfory information can be obtained ; but it is 
O o o 2 “ imagined 
caught there every 
