500-Volt Eel

Of the thousands of different types of fish, only five can produce electricity. Best known of these is the electric eel (Electrophorus electricus), a brownish-grey, snake-like creature that is not an eel at all but belongs to the carp and catfish family. Especially abundant in the Amazon and Orinoco Rivers in South America, electric eels have six electricity-generating organs extending lengthwise through their tails, which make up four-fifths of the eel's body. If a man or animal touches an electric eel, he will be mildly shocked. But if he were brash enough to grab both the eel's head and tail at the same time, he might get a 500-volt charge. These electric eels, which grow to 8 ft., 50 lb., swim about in stagnant pools, paralyze small fish by discharging electricity, can keep their prey unconscious for several hours, gobble them up at will. The uneaten fish recover from the paralysis unharmed.

Chief U. S. authority on electric eels is Christopher W. Coates, head curator of Manhattan's Aquarium. Curator Coates last week told scientists in Washington that the eels may furnish a clue for electric anesthesia that might be better than the chemical anesthesia now in use. Ingenious Ichthyologist Coates has already found a practical use for these fantastic fish. For years the Manhattan Aquarium was chivied by large river rats that invaded it during the winter. The rats would climb to the top of tanks, snatch fish out, eat them. Dr. Coates bought a few cats, but they preferred fishing too. Thereupon Coates opened the electric eel tank, turned the fish loose on the floor to play with the cats. The latter promptly pawed the eels, were thoroughly shocked. The Aquarium cats, now firmly convinced that all fish are electrified, pay strict attention to the rats.

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