PLATE LIII. 
second trunk enters the gills between the first and second openings* 
and after furnishing it with small branches, passes into the organ 
near its middle. The third trunk, after leaving the skull, divides 
itself into two branches, which pass to the electric organ through 
the gills ; one between the second and third openings, the other be- 
tween the third and fourth, giving small branches to the gill itself. 
These nerves having entered the organs, ramify in every direction 
between the columns, and send in small branches upon each par- 
tition where they are lost. The magnitude, and number of the 
nerves bestowed on these organs, in proportion to their size, must 
on reflection, appear as extraordinary as the phenomena they afford. 
Nerves are given to parts either for sensation or action. If we ex* 
cept the more important senses of hearing, seeing, tasting, and smel- 
ling, which do not belong to the electric organs, there is no part, 
even of the most perfect animal, which, in proportion to its size, is 
so liberally supplied with nerves ; nor do the nerves seem necessary 
for any sensation, which can be supposed to belong to the electric 
organs ; and, with respect to action, there is no part of any animal 
with which I am acquainted, however strong and constant its na- 
tural actions may be, which has so great a proportion of nerves. 
If it be then probable, that those nerves are not necessary for the 
purposes of sensation or action, may we not conclude that they are 
subservient to the formation, collection, or management of the 
electric fluid ? especially as it appeals evident from Mr. Walsh’s 
experiments, that the will of the animal does absolutely controul 
the electric powers of its body ; which must depend on the energy 
of the nerves.” 
That the electric organs of the Torpedo are described with accu- 
racy by Mr. Hunter, in the above paper, is pretty certain. The most 
