[ X 3 
and refources ■, but what is Jiill more to the 
point, there are diredl proofs of this conden- 
fation. ‘The gymnotus, torpedo, &c. have 
eledirical batteries, from which they dart de- 
firudlion upon fifties they mean to feed upon» 
Thefe animals pofi'efs organs of afingular con* 
firudlion.—But what are to be found in thefe 
organs except an arrangement of ' fibres, mem¬ 
branes, vejfels, and nerves ? 
If we were to judge of their fundi ions in 
confequence of an anatomical infpedlion of 
their organization, we Jhould never be led to 
conclude, that they were adapted for the ac - 
cumulation of eledlricity, becaufe all thefe 
parts are alike condudting fubfiances . Thus, 
if this accumulation does take place, as is 
mofi certain, we mufi acknowledge that there 
exifis in the animal, a fecret power*, which 
performs 
* The nervous fyfiem poffefs y probably , this power • 
if Mr. Hunter has well obfervedy fays Sir J. Pringle 
and I think he is the ftrjl who has made the obfervation y 
** that the magnitude and number of the nerves bejlowed 
m 
