IV. The electromotive properties of malapterurus electricus

Abstract

In the spring of the year 1895, Dr. II. O. Forbes, the Director of the Corporation Museum at Liverpool, obtained several living specimens of Malapterurus electricus , which were brought from the mouth of the river Senegal by Mr. A. Ridyard (s.s. “Niger”), and through the liberality of the Museum Committee four of these were placed at our disposal. The fish remained in excellent health for a period of over six months; they were kept in tanks placed in a warm room at a temperature of 80° Fahrenheit and were fed with small worms or pieces of m eat; the specimens were from 5 to 6 inches long and gave powerful shocks to the hand when touched.