never caught by baits, but in nets composed of small cords, and placed across the mouth of the river, but in such a manner that, whether the tide ebbs or flows, the pouch of the net goes with the stream.

THERE are about twenty species of the Ray, of all which the Torpedo, or Electric Ray, is the most remarkable, as it possesses some very peculiar qualities. In the general structure of its body it has not been found to differ materially from the rest of the rays. The electric or benumbing organs are placed one on each side of the gills, reaching from thence to the semicircular cartilages of each great fin, and extending longitudinally from the interior extremity of the animal to the transverse cartilage which divides the thorax from the abdomen, and within these limits they occupy the whole space between the skin of the upper and under surfaces. Each organ is about five inches in length, and at the anterior end, about three in breadth; they are composed of perpendicular columns, reaching from the upper to the under surface, varying in length according to the thickness of the parts of the body, from an inch and a half to half an inch. The head and body of the Torpedo are distinct

from each other, and nearly of a circular form: the skin is smooth, of a dusky brown colour above, and white underneath: the ventral fins form on each side, at the end of the body, nearly a quarter of a circle : the tail is short, and the dorsal fins are placed near its origin: the mouth is small, and, as in other species, there are on each side below it, five breathing aper

tures.

The electric rays are found in many of the European seas, and the fishermen often discover it in Torbay, and sometimes of such a size as to weigh eighty pounds. They are partial to sandy bottoms, in about forty fathoms of water, where they often bury themselves by flinging the sand over them, by a quick flapping of all the extremities. In Torbay they are generally taken like other flat-fish, with the trawl net; and instances have occurred of their seizing a bait. They bring forth their young in autumn.

The fish's benumbing or torporific quality is one of the most extraordinary faculties in nature. The ignorant stranger might imagine he is only handling a skate, when he is instantly struck numb.-Upon touching the Torpedo with the finger, it frequently, though not always happens, that the person feels an unusual pain and numbness, which suddenly seizes the arm up the elbow, and sometimes to the very shoulder, or head. Its chief force is at the instant it begins; it lasts but a few moments, and then vanishes entirely. If a man do not actually touch the Torpedo, how near soever he holds his hands, he feels nothing: if he touch it with a stick, he feels a faint effect; if he touch it through the interposition of any pretty thin body, the numbness is felt very considerably; if the hand be pressed very strong against it, the numbness is the less, but still strong enough to oblige a man speedily to let go.

The engraving displays the interior of the lower electric or galvanic organ.

THOUGH the Electrical Eel, or Gymnotus, belongs to a quite different class from the torpedo, yet we have placed them together in consequence of the similarity of their electric powers. Of the Gymnotus tribe some of the species inhabit the fresh water, and others the ocean, and with the exception of three of them all are confined to the New Continent. The species which is the subject of the engraving is common in South America, where it is found only in the rocky parts of rivers, far from the sea. It is from three to four feet in length, and ten or twelve inches in circumference in the broadest part of the body; and has the capability of swimming backward as well as forward. In colour it resembles the common eel. The head is flat, and the mouth wide and toothless. From the point of its tail to within six inches of its head extends a fin about two inches deep, and which is an inch thick at its junction with the body. As there are several annular divisions, or rather rugæ of the skin, across the body, it would seem that the fish partakes of the vermicular nature, and can contract or dilate itself at pleasure. The shock which it gives is so exceedingly

strong that persons have been knocked down, and almost killed, by it. The animal can give it at will, and it uses it to stun its prey. The electrical organs consist of two pair, and constitute more than one-third of the fish. Humboldt gives a curious account of the mode in which these fish are caught by the natives of South America.

THIS fish is the largest and best of its tribe; the flesh being white, firm, and well flavoured. It sometimes attains an immense size. The body is broad and flat, of a brown colour on the back, and white on the belly. The principal difference between it and the thornback consists in its having sharp teeth and a single row of spines on the tail, whilst the latter has blunt teeth, and several rows of spines both on the back and tail. The females produce their offspring from May till September. Each of the young ones is enclosed in an angular oblong bag, of a maroon colour, a substance like thin parchment or leather, and having two horns at each end. These, which are sometimes cast on shore after storms, are called purses by the fishermen.

THIS fish has a broad, flat, thin head; and the horns, which occupy the place of eyes in other species, are armed with short crooked spines like teeth, and are probably weapons of defence. The head and body are entirely covered with a skin resembling leather; the eyes lie on each side of the head near the mouth; and the tail fin is slightly forked.

This fish is of a very dark green colour; but the sides are somewhat lighter. Another remarkable peculiarity in this fish is the dorsal fin: it is close to the head, and its front ray is long, stiff, dentated like the horns, and is probably an instrument of defence also. The belly is short and thick; and the lateral line goes meandering along the middle of the body, and puts out branches each way. This species grows to a considerable size; its flesh is eatable, but not much sought after. It is found near the shores of Asia and Surinam.

One of these fish caught at Surinam, on examination, was observed to have its mouth filled with yellow eggs, in none of which, however, could be found a fish completely formed; from which it is concluded, that the Silure, to defend her eggs from the voracious