PLATE LIII. 
probably in an united state, by a single wire. How much further the 
effect might be thus divided, and subdivided into different channels, 
was not determined ; but it was found to be proportionally weakened 
by multiplying these circuits, as it had been by extending the single 
circuit.” ' 
A very complete, and most instructive series of the Torpedo, 
including both the sexes, with anatomical preparations of the 
several organs concerned in producing the electric effects of the 
animal, are preserved in the valuable collection of the late Mr f- 
Hunter *, which we have been obligingly permitted to inspect. 
Most of those specimens were sent by Mr. Walsh, from the coast 
of France. Mr. Hunter was induced at the solicitation of Mr. 
Waish, to prosecute his inquiries relative to the internal organization 
of tne 1 orpedo, at the same time that Mr. Waish was himself en- 
gaged in a course of experiments on its electricity, and the result of 
both were laid before the Royal Society, in the year 1773. 
Of the general structure and anatomy of the Torpedo, Mr. 
Hunter observes in this paper f, he shall say nothing, because it does 
not difFer materially in those respects from the rest of the Ray tribe, 
except in its electric organs, which he proceeds to explain as follows ■' 
“ These organs are placed on each side of the cranium and gills, ■ 
reaching from thence to the semicircular cartilages of each great 
fin, and extending longitudinally from the anterior extremity of the 
animal, to the transverse cartilage which divides the thorax from the 
* The property at this time of the Royal College of Surgeons, London, 
t Phil. Trans. 1773. p. 43. 
