[ 47 & ] 
be wanting ; nor will a point brought however 
near, if not in contact, be able to draw off the 
charge : and yet, with this diminifhed elafticity, 
the eleCtric matter will, to effeCt its equilibrium, 
inftantly run through a conliderable circuit of dif- 
ferent conductors, perfectly continuous, and make 
us' fenfible of an impulfe in its paffage. 
Let me here remark, that the fagacity of Mr. 
Cavendifh in deviling and his addrefs in exe- 
cuting eleCtrical experiments, led him the firlt to 
experience with artificial electricity, that a fhock 
could be received from a charge which was unable 
to force a paflage through the lealt fpace of air. 
But, after the difcovery that a large area of rare 
electricity would imitate the efteCt of the Torpedo, 
it may be inquired, where is this large area to be 
found in the animal ? We here approach to that 
veil of nature, which man cannot remove. This, 
however, we know, that from infinite divilion of 
parts infinite furface may arife, and even our grofs 
optics tell us, that thole lingular organs, fo often 
mentioned, confift like our eleCtric batteries of 
many veliels, call them cylinders or hexagonal 
prifms, whofe fuperficies taken together furnilh a 
conliderable area. 
I rejoice in addreffing thefe communications to 
You. He, who predicted and Ihewed that elec- 
tricity wings the formidable bolt of the atmof- 
phere, will hear with attention, that in the deep 
it fpeeds an humbler bolt, lilent and invisible : He, 
who analyfed the electrified Phial, will hear with 
2 . pleafure 
