PLATE LIIL 
h discovered the comparative force between a shock in water and one 
in air, and between a shock delivered with greater exertion on the 
part of the animal, and one with less, seemed to determine that the 
charge of his organs with electricity was effected in an instant, 3® 
well as the discharge.” 
“ The Torpedo when put into a flat basket, open at the top, but 
secured by a net with wide meshes, and in this confinement was let 
down into the water a foot below the surface : being there touched 
, through the meshes, with only a single finger, on one of his electric 
organs, while the other hand was held at a distance in the water, he 
gave shocks which were distinctly felt in both hands.” 
“ The circuit for the passage of the effect being contracted to the 
finger and thumb of one hand, applied above, and below to a single 
organ, produced a shock, to our sensation, of twice the force of that 
in the larger circuit by the arms.” 
“ The Torpedo still confined in the basket, being raised to withn* 
three inches of the surface of the water, was there touched with * 
short iron bolt, which was held half above, and half in the water, by 
one hand, while the other hand dipped, as before, at a distance in the 
water ; arul strong shocks, felt in both hands, were thus obtaine-1 
through the iron.” 
“ A wet hempen cord being fastened to the iron bolt, was held lU 
the hand above water, while the bolt touched the Torpedo, and tbs 
shocks were obtained through both these substances.” 
“ A less powerful Torpedo, suspended in a small net, being 
frequently dipped into water, and raised again, gave, from £ b c 
V 
