SUPPRESSION OF PHOTOTROPIC CIRCUS MOVEMENTS OF LIMAX BY STRYCHNINE

Abstract

By injection with strychnine the phototropic circus movements of the slug Limax maximus may be suppressed, its phototropism abolished. The creeping activity of the foot is not in any essential way interferred with. Strychnine produces in Limax central nervous effects of the sort associated with its characteristic action. Hence, although an effect of the drug upon photoreceptors cannot be definitely excluded, the experimental result is held to demonstrate that in orientation during circus movements there occurs central "competition" between impulses resulting (1) in the release of pedal waves and (2) in the maintenance of a turning posture.