THE TORPEDO. 
16 9 
this is accompanied with an univerfal tremor, a ficknefs 
the ftomach, a general convulfion, and a total fufpen- 
iion of the faculties of the mind: In (hort, fuch is the 
P a in, that all the force of our promifes and authority, 
c °uld not prevail upon a feaman to undergo the fliock 
a fecond time 
The fubftance which the torpedo difcharges, and which 
produces effe£fs fo violent and inllantaneous upon the hu- 
ntan frame, is probably electric matter, but by what 
ttteans the animal fo foon collects it, no naturalift has been. 
a ble to explain. Great as its powers are when the ani- 
01 a l is in vigor, they are impaired as it declines in ftrength, 
a nd totally ceafe when it expires f ; they impart no nox- 
l °us qualities to the filh,when ufed as food ; for the French, 
find it in plenty on their coafts, very commonly 
dr efs and eat it Galen , we are told, recommends it in 
e peleptic complaints, while Rondeletius and Willoughby, 
decidedly condemn it in all cafes, as a watery, foft, and 
fungous aliment §. 
The narcotic power of the torpedo, however it may 
a ffe£t it as food, is ferviceable to the animal in two im- 
P°rtant refpedts ; both as a means of defence againft vo- 
Ta cious fifli, and a method of procuriug l’ubfiftence from 
utnong the fmaller tribes ; the former, when electrified, are 
deprived of all poffibility of feizing their prey ; and the 
ktter, after having unwarily approached the torpedo, and 
received the Ibock, are incapable of making tlieir efcape |[. 
T he food of the torpedo is furmulletts and plaife ; the 
‘ 0 rtner is fo fwift, that it is impoffible for the torpedo to 
take 
Kempfer’s travels. f Salvianus and WiUoughb. p. 8z. 
I Britilh Zool. § Rondel dc pifcib. and Willough. llictfip. 1. jr, S I. 
II p linii Sift. Nat. 
E 
