216 
TORPEDO. 
differed in nothing from that of the Leyden experi- 
ment, except in the degree of force. Mr. Walsh, 
who was not in the circle of conduction, received 
no shock. This experiment was repeated several 
times, even with eight persons ; and always with 
the same success. The action of the torpedo is 
communicated by the same mediums as that of the 
electric fluid. The bodies which intercept the ac- 
tion of the one, intercept likewise the action of the 
other. The effects produced by the torpedo re- 
semble in every respect a weak electricity. This ex- 
hibition of the electric powers of the torpedo, be- 
fore the academy of Rochelle, was at a meeting 
held for the purpose in my apartments on the 
twenty-second of July 1/7 2 j and stands registered 
in the journals of the academy.” 
Mr. Walsh, in his paper on the subject in the 
Philosophical Transactions, has related some other 
experiments, the most interesting of which are the 
following : cc A large torpedo, very liberal of his 
shocks, being held with both hands by his electric 
organs above and below, was briskly plunged into 
w r ater to the depth of a foot, and instantly raised 
an equal height in the air ; and was thus continually 
plunged and raised as quick as possible for the space 
of a minute. In the instant his lower surface 
touched the water in his descent, he always gave a 
violent shock, and another still more violent in his 
ascent ; both which shocks, but particularly the 
last, were accompanied with a writhing in his body, 
