214 Mr . cavendish on the Torpedo. 
hand («). No fenfible difference could be perceived in the 
flrength, whether the torpedo was inclofed in the bafket 
or not. The trough in which this experiment was tried 
was 3 6 inches long, 1 4^ broad, and 1 6 deep ; and the 
diftance of that hand which was immerfed in the water 
from the eleCtric organs of the torpedo, was about 14 
inches. As it was found necelfary to charge the bat- 
tery lb much higher than ufual, in order to receive a 
ihock, it follows, that unlefs the filh with which Mr. 
walsh tried this experiment w r ere remarkably vigor- 
ous, there is hill too great a difproportion between the 
flrength of the fliock of the artificial torpedo when re- 
ceived under water and out of it. If this is the cafe, the 
fault might evidently be remedied by making it of fome 
lubilance which conducts electricity better than leather. 
When the torpedo happens to be left on fliore by the 
retreat of the tide, it loofens the lands by flapping its fins, 
till its whole body, except the fpiracles, is buried; and it 
is laid to happen fometimes, that a perfon accidentally 
treading on it in that fituation, with naked feet, is thrown 
down by it. I therefore filled a box, 3 2 inches long and 
2 2 broad, with fand, thoroughly foaked with fait water, 
to the depth of four inches, and placed the torpedo in it, 
intirely covered with the fand, except the upper part of 
its convex furface, and laid one hand on its electrical or- 
gans, and the other on the wet fand about 1 6 inches from 
(a) As well as I could judge, the battery required to be charged about 16 or 
20 times as high, to give a Ihock of the fame ftrength when received this way 
■as when received in the ufual manner with the torpedo out of water. 
it. 
