The smallest I ever caught weighed fifteen pounds, and I could never carry home more than a couple of average weight.

They have the power of stinging, I believe, electrically, hence their name.

At all events, I was once stung by one of these fish, and it was an experience I shall never forget.

It fortunately happened at a time when some friendly blacks were at hand, otherwise I question very much whether I should be alive to-day.
I was wading slowly along the beach in rather deep water, when I suddenly felt a most excruciating pain in my left ankle.

It seemed as though I had just received a paralysing shock from a powerful battery, and down I fell in a state of absolute collapse, unable to stir a finger to save myself, although I knew I was rapidly drowning.