nearly four hundred and seventy perpendicular columns, that vary in shape, according to circumstances, and situation. Their coatings are nearly transparent, and they join each other by means of a loose net work, and strong elastic fibres. These columns increase in size and number, during the growth of the Electric Ray, and are provided with a beautiful apparatus of veins and nerves. The former, start from those connected with the gills, and enter the partitions. Here they ramify in every direction: here they form innumerable branches upon the sides of the columns, extend throughout their various divisions, and after invigorating, cherishing, and supplying the surrounding parts with vital fluid, pour their contents into the ventrical of the heart. The latter, proceed in three large trunks, from the lateral and hinder portions of the brain; they enter the electric organ, extend in different ways between the columns, and send forth small branches upon each partition, at the extremity of which they finally disappear.

We boast of our inventions in the arts and sciences, forgetting, or unmindful, that we are frequently anticipated by such feeble, or apparently pernicious creatures, as we should scarcely acknowledge for our instructors. The Limpet acted, as if he understood the pressure of the atmosphere, and attached himself to the rock, by forming a vacuum in his pyrami

dical shell, more than five thousand years before the air pump was invented. The Torpedo defended himself from his enemies by means of an electric shock, long before academicians thought of making experiments in electricity.

The arrangement of the organs, the loose transparent net-work, and the strong electric fibres which connect them to each other, with the whole apparatus of nerves and veins, have been exhibited to the eye, nothing is left to be supplied by imagination or conjecture; but how the will of the creature operates upon them, by what means it produces the electric shock, is entirely unknown.

The narcotic, or numbing quality of the Torpedo, has been noticed by ancient, as well as modern naturalists. It deprives the person who touches it, of the use of his arm; it will even affect him, if merely brought in contact with a stick. Oppian asserts that it benumbs the astonished fisherman, through the whole length of his line and rod.

The hook'd Torpedo ne'er forgets his art,
But soon as struck begins to play his part,
And to the line applies his magic sides ;
Without delay the subtile power glides
Along the pliant rod, and slender hairs,
Then to the fisher's hand as swift repairs.
Amazed he stands; his arm of strength bereft,
Down drops the idle rod-his prey is left.
Not less benumb'd, than if he felt the whole
Of frost's severest rage beneath the arctic pole.

The benumbing quality of the Torpedo, is remarkably vigorous while young, but becomes impaired as the animal declines in strength, and totally ceases when it expires. It is frequently eaten on the Gallic coast, where it is more abundant than on the English. Galen even affirms that the flesh is beneficial to persons affected with epilepsy; and that the shock of the living fish, has been found efficacious in removing pains in the head.

A double purpose is afforded to the Electric Ray by this extraordinary faculty. The one, when it is exerted as the means of defence against the attacks of voracious fish, for it fixes them to the ground, with a spell like the fabled wand of Comus, and disables them from seizing their intended victim. The other, explained by Pliny, who tells us, that the Torpedo is well acquainted with his powers, though never himself affected by them; and that, concealing himself in the mud, and benumbing the fish that are carelessly playing about, he renders them an easy prey. truth of the statement is confirmed by the observations of modern naturalists. A Plaice and Surmullet have been discovered in the stomach of two of these extraordinary animals. The latter, especially, must have been paralysed by the benumbing quality of the Torpedo, for it swims with such surprising swiftness as to render the possibility of pursuit impracticable, in a creature so peculiarly constructed, and incapable

The

of rapid motion. But here it will be asked, how then can the Electric Ray come within reach of the Surmullet, for the Deity has given to the inferior orders of creation a quick preception of, and desire to avoid, whatever is injurious? The Ray procures by stragatem what he cannot effect by force. He inhabits sandy places, in company with his mis-shapen relatives, and hence, in order to avoid the attacks of his implacable enemies, the Crab, and Sea Leach, and perhaps with a view to obtain food, he buries himself superficially in the sand, by means of a quick flapping of his extremities. Thus situated, the creature gives a stroke sufficiently powerful to throw down the passenger who inadvertently comes within his reach.

When a Torpedo is about to give a shock, he nearly closes his eyes, drops the triangular curtain which covers the pupil, and generally moves the lateral fins. No visible muscular effort is preceptible in the other electric fishes. The numbness he produces, is most probably occasioned by the number and minuteness of his shocks. These are undoubtedly effected by a successive discharge of the different columns, in a manner analogous to that of a running fire of musketry. Fifty-nine have been given in the short space of a minute and a half; five hundred in that of nine.

The Cramp Fish, or Gymnotus Electricus, possesses

the same extraordinary faculty. He consists, if we may so speak, of two parts: one containing every thing essential to the well-being of the animal; the other, the peculiar organ of defence. Now in order to remedy any inconvenience that might result from such an unusual length, the tail is admirably adapted to promote the progress of the whole; while to preserve its specific gravity, the spine, the muscles, fin, and air bladder, are continued through the whole length. The necessity of such a provision will appear still more obvious, when we consider, that the electric organ is more than one third of the Gymnotus; and that the fish is frequently more than twenty feet in length. This organ somewhat resembles, in its general construction, that of the Torpedo, though considerably less complex. It consists of two partitions, placed on either side, and formed of thin membranes, with cross divisions between them. These are furnished with veins and muscles, adapted for nourishing, and restraining each part in its proper position. The Cramp Fish inhabits the fresh-water rivers of Surinam and Cayenne, where he was first discovered by Dr. Reicher, in the year 1677. His narcotic powers are superior to those of any other kind of electric animal. They are particularly formidable to swimmers, who are in danger of being drowned when exposed to the action. of the battery, which resembles in its effects a shock