plate LIIl. 
is a truth of which every naturalist must be aware. Among the 
earlier writers of antiquity this Fish was perfectly well known. 
Hippocrates mentions the Torpedo, classes it with the edible kinds 
of fishes, and recommends the flesh as proper food for persons affected 
with the dropsy. Aristotle speaks of it in terms that leave no doubt 
upon the mind of the classic reader, that he was to a certain extent 
acquainted with its manners of life *. Pliny only repeats the observa- 
tions of Aristotle, his disciple Theophrastus, and other Greek writers 
of celebrity, when he asserts, that the Torpedo knows her own 
powers, in being able to benumb others without being herself affected. 
Aristotle tells us, as well as Pliny, that the Torpedo conceals itself in 
the mud, and waits in readiness to exert its benumbing influence upon 
the fishes that swim over it, and which falling motionless as if they 
were dead to the bottom, become an easy prey to this their lurking 
enemyf. Aristotle was himself apparently indebted for this know- 
ledge, at least in some degree, to preceding writers, whose labours 
have not survived the wreck of time. That Plato was acquainted 
with the peculiar powers of this Fish before that period is evident; 
there is one very striking passage in his dialogue between Socrates, 
and another which proves the truth of this opinion beyond dispute. — ' 
“ Thou hast benumbed my senses by thy objections, as that great 
fish of the sea, the Torpedo, benumb those who approach it.” The 
evidence of Tiphilus, of Plutarch, Oppian, and other writers of anti- 
quity, might be mentioned also, were it incumbent to prove, that 
* Arist. lib. v. c. 5. — Lib. ix. c. 37. Nagxu. 
+ “ Quo magis miror quosdara existimasse, aquatalibus nullum inesse senstim. No vlt 
torpedo cum suani ipsa non torpens : morsaque in limose occultat, pisces qui securi sup er 
natantes obtorpuere corripiens,” Plin . lib . IX. c. 42. 
