THE SIMPLEX FLICKER THRESHOLD CONTOUR FOR THE ZEBRA FINCH

The flicker response contour has been determined, with equality of light-dark time ratio, for the diurnal bird the Australian zebra finch. This bird has only cones in the retina. The curve of log critical intensity as a function of flash frequency is simplex, a normal probability integral. In this respect it is like that for other vertebrates not exhibiting visual duplexity. The parameters of the curve most closely approach those for the turtle Pseudemys (extrapolated to about the same temperature); it is not improbable that the approximation of these two curves would be less close for other values of the light-time fraction. Some points of interpretive visual theory are discussed in relation to the present measurements.     

THEORY AND MEASUREMENT OF VISUAL MECHANISMS : III. ΔI AS A FUNCTION OF AREA,INTENSITY, AND WAVE-LENGTH,FOR MONOCULAR AND BINOCULAR STIMULATION

Measurements of ΔI as a function of retinal area illuminated have been obtained at various levels of standard intensity I ₁, using "white" light and light of three modal wave-lengths (λ465, 525, 680), for monocular stimulation and for simultaneous excitation of the two eyes ("binocular"), using several methods of varying (rectangular) area and retinal location, with control of exposure time. For data homogeneous with respect to method of presentation, log ΔI_m = -Z log A + C, where ΔI = Ĩ ₂ – I ₁, A is area illuminated, and C is a terminal constant (= log ΔI_m for A = 1 unit) depending on the units in which ΔI and A are expressed, and upon I ₁. The equation is readily deduced on dimensional grounds, without reference to specific theories of the nature of ΔI or of retinal area in terms of its excitable units. Z is independent of the units of I and A. Experimentally it is found to be the same for monocular and binocular excitations, as is to be expected. Also as is expected it is not independent of λ, and it is markedly influenced by the scheme according to which A is varied; it depends directly upon the rate at which potentially excitable elements are added when A is made to increase. For simultaneous excitation of the two eyes (when of very nearly equivalent excitability), ΔĪ_B is less than for stimulation of either eye alone, at all levels of I ₁, A, λ. The mean ratio (ΔĪ_L + ΔĪ_R)/2 to ΔI^B was 1.38. For white light, doubling A on one retina reduces ΔI_m in the ratio 1.21, or a little less than for binocular presentation under the same conditions. These facts are consistent with the view that the properties of ΔI are quantitatively determined by events central to the retina. The measure σ_1ΔI of organic variation in discrimination of intensities and ΔI_m are found to be in simple proportion, independent of I ₁, A, λ (and exposure time). Variability (σ_1ΔI) is not a function of the mode of presentation, save that it may be slightly higher when both retinas are excited, and its magnitude (for a given level of ΔI_m) is independent of the law according to which the adjustable intensity I ₂ is instrumentally controlled.     

TEMPERATURE CHARACTERISTIC FOR HEART RHYTHM OF THE SILKWORM

The critical thermal increment for the reaction controlling the frequency of the heart beat in mature silkworms is 12,200 calories. This determination agrees quantitatively with the increment deduced for other activities of arthropods in which the rate of central nervous discharge is believed to be the controlling element.     

TEMPERATURE AND CRITICAL ILLUMINATION FOR REACTION TO FLICKERING LIGHT : I. ANAX LARVAE

The curve of mean critical illumination (I_m) for response to flicker as a function of flicker frequency (F) for the larvae of the dragonfly Anax junius is progressively shifted toward higher intensities the lower the temperature. The maximum flicker frequency (one half the cycle time of light and no light) and the maximum intensity with which it is associated are very little if at all affected by change of temperature. These facts are in agreement with the requirements of the conception that recognition of critical illumination for reaction to flicker involves and depends upon a kind of intensity discrimination, namely between the effects of flashes and the after effects of these flashes during the intervals of no light. The shift of the F-I_m curve with change of temperature is quite inconsistent with the stationary state conception of the determination of the shape of the curve. The dispersion (P.E. _II1) of the measurements of I ₁ is directly proportional to I_m, but the factor of proportionality is less at high and at low temperature than at an intermediate temperature; the scatter of the values of P.E. _II1 is also a function of the temperature. These facts can also be shown to be concordant with the intensity discrimination basis for marginal recognition of flicker.     

ON REVERSAL OF GEOTROPISM IN ASTERINA

A certain level of strychninization induces in Asterina reversal of geotropism from the normally geonegative movement to a persistent downward creeping. The effect of an attached float producing upward pull is to induce upward creeping, under these conditions, whereas normally it leads to downward movement. This reversal cannot be regarded as due to a mere intensification of the sensory effect of tension. It must be understood as representing a true reversal of inhibition. The temporary reversal of geotropism following mechanical disturbances (in the absence of strychnine) is interpreted in the same way.