This chapter analyzes the evidence that was gathered during the last fifty years of the 18th century about the electric charges of certain fishes. It first studies what people thought about these fishes prior to the “Age of Electrical Experiments,” including some older history and theories. It also considers generalized ideas about animal electricity, such as the thought that electricity could account for nerve and muscle physiology.

This chapter analyzes the evidence that was gathered during the last fifty years of the 18th century about the electric charges of certain fishes. It first studies what people thought about these fishes prior to the “Age of Electrical Experiments,” including some older history and theories. It also considers generalized ideas about animal electricity, such as the thought that electricity could account for nerve and muscle physiology.