Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1889-11-22
Dangerous Eels.

far as the delta of the Orinoco. This
river annually rises TO height Of
fifty feet, and covers tract of coun-
try half as large as the State of New
York. When the water subsidies il
leaves large, stagnant pools along the
edge of the savannahs that lie beyond
the limit Of the inundation, and these
pools are literally alive with fish. the
most common variety being the cleo
| tric eel.
The natives are very fond of these
fish, but having great horror of the
severe shock they are able 10 commu-
nicate at will, employ "A peculiar
method in the capture which they
call intoxicating by means OF
horses"
During our stay in the village a
number of the natives were employed
in catching them, and l found the
method highly interesting. On visit
ing one of the pools not yet disturbed,
| saw some of the fish at rest. The
pool was about half an acre in extent,
the surface being partly covered with
aquatic growth, and floating around
on the top of the water, or near the
surface, were large, yellow, almost
livid eels, that resembled rather
water-snakes than eels; they appeared
to hump" themselves, that is to say,
they drew the stomach in, making a
slight arch of the back.
Lazily swimming along, they would
suddenly straighten themselves out
with a jerk, and then curve the back
again. This | learned was the action
of producing the shock, also that its
habit is the reverse of that Of the eat
family, for it straightens itself when
annoyed, betokens pleasure by keep
ing its body arched. All around the
pool were marvellous growths OF
rushes, and the great lta palms, which
give the natives food, house, cloth
ing, drink and furniture.
The hunt, or capture of the eels, be-
gan in the early morning, soon after
daybreak, so as to avoid the heat
OF the MONDAY. About fifty men
started out on horseback, and sur
rounding a number Of wild horses
drove them to a pool. The animals
plunged in and commenced swim
ming across.
The eels, driven from the bottom
to the surface by the splashing OF the
horses, endeavored to defend their
territory against the invaders, with
the strange means which nature has
given them. Rising TO the surface
they rushed at their foes, not TO bite
them, but to defend themselves by
the discharge of their batteries. In
and out among the horses they swami
curving and uncurving themselves
rapidly.
The horses, crazy with the excite
ment and noise OF the men, and the
pains from the electric discharges
from the eels, with straining, terror
stricken eyes and bristling names tried
to escape from the storm that had sur
prised them. Swimming to the near
est edge they tried to land, but were
drived back by shouting natives who
viciously struck them over the head
and face, while the great eels, pursu-
ing them to the edge, were speared
by the harpoons, and thrown to
points far up on the dry soil, where
other natives killed them.
The livid color of the eels was
greatly intensified, and they were dis
agreeable-looking objects as they
writhed and curled in the water.
while their eyes, unduly prominent
when at rest, receded far into the
head so as to become almost invisible
IN their rage at being disturbed.
Once or twice native stumbled in
his excitement over some obstacle,
and fell so that some portion OF his
naked flesh touched a squirming eel,
and then yell was heard that left no
doubt that il was caused by acute
pain.
At first, comparatively few were
thrown ashore, but in short time
several OF the horses, victims TO the
power of the shocks, were drowned
and gradually the eels became ex-
hausted and seemed TO be, as the ma
tives said, intoxicated" They swan
aimlessly around, and were slowly
driven down TO narrow part Of the
pool, where they were secured, as
they lay half torpid in the shadows,
by means Of small harpoons and rude
fibre nets. Those taken in the nets
were transported TO small holes dug
in the soil, and filed with fresh water,
from which they could be easily taken
as occasion required, while those
speared were intended TO be used as
immediate food
Such, however, is the terror inspir-
ed by these fish, that the natives are
very reluctant to take them from the
harpoons, or otherwise touch them
until life has been for some time ex-
tinct.
The electric apparatus Of these fish
consists OF a series OF boneycombed-
looking cells, filed with thickish,
gelatinous fluid, abundantly supplied
with nerves, and situated between
the head and the gills. The electrical
organs are two in number, and the
number Of cells varies according TO
size OF the fish. In one Ash each or
gan contained four hundred and
seventy, and in another large fish,
one thousand one hundred and eighty