PLATE On. 
“ The effect produced by the Torpedo, when in air, appeared on 
Many repeated experiments to be about four times as strong, as when 
in water.” 
The following detailed particulars, of a series of experiments per- 
formed by Mr. Walsh, in presence of the academy of Rochelle, 
appeared 1 in the French Gazette of the 30th of October, 1772, as 
the extract of a letter received from Sieur Seignette, mayor of that 
place, and secretary of the academy. 
“ A live Torpedo was placed on a table. Round another table 
stood five persons insulated. Two brass wires, each thirteen feet 
long, were suspended to the ceiling by silken strings. One of 
these wires rested by one end on the wet napkin on which 
the fish lay: the other end was immersed in a basin full of 
Water, placed on a second table, on which stood four other basins 
Hk ewise full of water. The first person put a finger of one hand 
,n the basin in which the wire was immersed, and a finger of the 
°ther hand in a second basin. The second person put a finger 
of one hand in this last basin, and a finger of the other hand in 
the third ; and so on successively, till the five persons communi- 
cated with one another by the water in the basins. In the last 
hasin, one end of the second wire was immersed; and with the 
other end, Mr. Walsh touched the back of the Torpedo, when 
five persons felt a commotion, which differed in nothing from 
that of the Leyden experiment, except in the degree of force. 
Mr. Walsh, who was not in the circle of conduction, received 
Oo shock. This experiment was repeated several times, even with 
ei ght persons ; and always with the same success. The action of 
th e Torpedo, is communicated by the same mediums, as that of 
