C *39 3 
charge this fluid in a manner fimilar tQ 
the torpedo and gymnotus do with theirs, 
the effedts would prove truly terrible. 
We may be enabled to form fome flight 
idea of what would occur by the very ex¬ 
traordinary fhock which the celebrated 
Cotunnio experienced, whilft differing a 
live moufe. 
The nerves diflributed upon all the fur- 
faces of the cylinders, or fmall jars of 
itiufcle, are the threads which condudt the 
fluid in queftion. They are difpofed in 
fuch a way as to communicate with each 
other. The fprings, or means by which 
this communication exifts, have as yet 
evaded our obfervation. Thefe fprings are 
fubordinate to the diredlion of the intellec¬ 
tual faculty, which by means of them is 
capable of producing any difcharge and 
motion it will. 
The difcharge implies the existence of 
the two contrary electricities, pofitive and 
negative. 
