The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1904-03-17
AN ELECTRIC EEL.
He Enlivens Things on Shipboard, and Il
Livened Up in Turn.
New York Dispatch.)

New York Dispatch.)
One OF the most remarkable exhibits
which has arrived for the st. Louis Elk
position is that of the marine fauna of the
British Isles, which got here yesterday on
the Atlantic transport Minnetonka. in
charge of ]. e. Adams.
The collection consists primarily of edi-
BILE fishes, including such toothsome piscine
delicacies as soft-shell crabs, kippered her
ring, whiting, turbot, brill, founders, soles,
appeared in high spirits, being Theoretically
sealed up in glass jars filled with pure al
cohol; but q few specimens were brought
over alive, chief among which is the big
electric eel, Mephistopheles.
TROUBLE WITH EEL.
| 1--WE had lot of trouble with the eel on
the way over" said Mr.. Adams "He was
put in a zinc-lined sheet-iron tank, which
was mistake; it should have been of glass,
That tank came near being the death of
Mephstopheles, and, incidentally, Of one
Of the sailors
after Mephistopheles had been in it
| while We noticed that he looked all worn
| out. lie wouldn't move around or eat any
thing; just lay there all curled up in one
| corner. | thought something must be
wrong, so | asked one of the men to move
the tank up on the deck, thinking maybe
| it was fresh air and sunlight that he need
| ed. Well, as soon as he took hold Of the
tank he gave yell, as though it was red
hot.
What's the troubleT said I.
Trouble J! said he. beginning to swear
to himself. .Jes tech hit yourself, SIR
Il did So" continued Mr.. Adams, smil-
ing, land by Jove, | never got such shock
| in my life. That blooming eel had charged
the whole tank like high-power battery.
"Of course knew then what the matter
with him was. and why he was wasting
away like that. All his energy had gone
to charging that box. At first was at a
loss what to do; didn't have anything else
to put him in; and then bright idea came
to me.
"'Send for Mr.. Bell. the Chief Engi-
neer.' said. He came
Mr.. Bell said /. can you run an
electric light wire into this tank?'
but why, may ask, sir2'
Mephistopheles,' Mr. Bell, SIS perish
ing for lack Of electricity 1 explained. I
| compute that during the time he has been
| confined in this internal tank he has lost
at least 1000 volts Of his essential life
force. doubt very much If he has more
| than one or two horsepower left
"'Well, well,' said Mr.. Bell, If that don't
beat all J and before l could stop him he
had put his hands on the edge Of the tank
i endured his remarks for a WHILE"
went on Mr.. Adams. 'but finally thought
It time to say Christening word. Your
language, Mr.. Bell observed, somewhat
severely, is a surprise, may say, a reyela-
ton to me. l had not thought you capable
OF 1t; but never mind. The point is. will
you run wire into that tank to afford life
to this poor, suffering fish?'
'Sufferin' fish ! cried Mr. Bell. dancing
up and down. 'Sufferin' Moses l should
say. | reckon I'm the sufferer. not i'm.
Will ! run a wire into that tank?' he
repeated. his eyes cleaning with unhOly
JOY. Will do it? Watch an see me- If
| don't turn tn all-firedest biggest lot Of
thunder juice into that reptiles cage, then
I'm another. Ill make i'm think he's a
whole power station hisself.'
"a, "A very few >amperes. Mr.. Bell said I,
| stifiy, will be quite sufficient Too much
might injure him. Be careful
will said Mr.. Bell, grinning, III
be very careful Well. do you know, when
l CAM down again in the afternoon, there
was light coming out of that tank as il
it were on fire. rushed to look in.
Mephisfopheles seemed to be burning up.
He was just one whirling mass of electric
tame. That man Bell had given him the
full strength
Did it kill the eel?" asked a sympa-
thetic listener.
Not at ALL" replied Mr.. Adams: at
really seemed to do him good. OF course.
had the current reduced at once, and kept
at low voltage the rest of the voyage.
One of those cells, you know, can stand a
| lot of electricity"
Anything happen to the devilfish, Mr..
Nothing much," he replied, thought
| fully. He did begin raising - one day
when he got on skate that we put in his
tank, but it was soon over Skates aren't
very good fighters" concluded Mr.. Adams.