618 W. T. JAMES 



may be assumed that there is a high degree of irradiation, 

 or a greater involvement of neural centers than that found 

 in most dogs. We refer here to the lower postural centers. 



As stated above, the English bulldog behaved like the 

 animals of group A during the intervals between the condi- 

 tioning signals, that is, in a state of almost complete inhibi- 

 tion. Especially was this the case after the experiments 

 had progressed for a time, and the animal had become ad- 

 justed to the laboratory procedure. In order to determine 

 the degree of inhibition during these intervals, a loud bell 

 and a shock were applied during one of the periods. Neither 

 stimulus produced any violent reaction at its first application. 

 The dog turned its head slowly to the right when the bell 

 sounded without making any involved movements of orienta- 

 tion. The first shock on the foreleg produced only a weak 

 flexion. There was no struggle or other indication of dis- 

 turbance. Both these weak reactions emphasize the unex- 

 citable condition of the dog during the intervals. Since the 

 dog was in a low or inhibited phase, similar to sleep, neither 

 of these stimuli was disturbing. Upon the introduction of 

 the signal for food, however, there was a sudden rise of 

 excitation and violent action. It would appear that the dog- 

 had become specifically set for the clicker signal to the ex- 

 clusion of all others. 



Still another peculiarity of the English bulldog was shown 

 when an attempt was made to develop the conditioned avoid- 

 ing reaction. As pointed out above, the shock did not produce 

 any intense response when introduced during one of the 

 regular "inhibited" periods between signals for food. Repe- 

 tition of the signal and shock, however, increased excitability, 

 and the animal became so hysterical that it had to be removed 

 from the room. If the signal for the shock was introduced in 

 any experimental period thereafter, the animal would make 

 violent hysterical attempts to escape, and these reactions 

 continued until the experiments were terminated. This be- 

 havior occurred even though the shock was not applied. The 

 dog continued to respond to the signal for food if the signal 



