My Tainted Motives

"Their purpose was to observe, on its native heath, that biological phenomenon, electrophorus electricus, the electric eel, and to determine if possible the 'why' of its peculiar power." So proclaims the flap of ELECTRIC EEL CALLING by Shelby Shackelford, with illustrations by the author, which cost $3.00 in hardcover when it came out (in 1941), also according to the flap. As you know, I skim a book flap every day with tainted motives.