[ 474 ] : t ^ . . 1( t 
on the organ of the other, was fenflble of (hocks* 
fometimes delivered by one fi(h, and fome- 
times by the other, as might be di (covered by 
the refpeCtive winking of their eyes. That the 
organs, uncharged, ferved fome way or other as 
conductors, was confirmed with artificial eleCtricity* 
in paffing (hocks by them ; and in taking (parks 
from them, when eleCtrifled. 
The eleCtric effeCt was never perceived by us to 
be attended with any motion or alteration in the 
organs themfelves, but was frequently accom- 
panied with a little tranfient agitation along the 
cartilages which furround both organs : this is 
not dilcernible in the plump and turgid date of the 
animal, while he is frefh and vigorous ; but as his 
force decays, from the relaxation of his mufcles, 
his cartilages appear through the (kin, and then 
the flight aCtion along them is difcovered. 
May we not from all thefe premifes conclude, 
that the effeCt of the Torpedo proceeds from 
a modification of the eleCtric fluid r The Tor- 
pedo refembles the charged Phial in that cha- 
raCteriftic point of a reciprocation between its 
two furfaces. Their effeCts are tranlmitted by 
the fame mediums ; than which there is not per- 
haps a furer criterion to determine the identity of 
fubtile matter : They, befides, occafion the fame 
impreffion on our nerves. Like effeCts have like 
caufes. But it may be objected, that the effeCts 
* of the Torpedo, and of the charged Phial, are not 
fimilar in all their circumftances ; that the charged 
Phial occaflons attractive or repulfive difpolitions 
in 
