64 Journal of Comparative Neurology and Psychology. 



could be applied to all vertebrates, because the differentiation 

 of structure in the higher groups rendered useless the subdivis- 

 ion which would apply to the lowlier groups. It was therefore 

 decided to submit the question to further investigation and Pro- 

 fessor Edinger invited me to prepare a report proposing a sub- 

 division, which might be submitted to all those interested in 

 the problem, whether members of the Commission or not, for 

 criticism and suggestions. 



The other question brought forward for discussion was the 

 possibility of describing cerebral sulci from their relationship to 

 areas of known physiological significance. I explained the 

 definite relationship which the calcarine sulcus, the sulcus 

 lunatus ("Affenspalte") and the superior and inferior occipital 

 sulci present to the visual cortex. The essential part of the 

 suprasylvian sulcus is a superior limiting furrow of the auditory 

 cortex. I'he central sulcus in the Primates is a posterior limit- 

 ing sulcus of the excitable or motor area, whereas the crucial 

 sulcus of the Carnivora is an anterior sulcus of the motor cor- 

 tex. In time it will probably be possible to describe all the 

 important furrows of the hemisphere in terms of their relation- 

 ship to certain definite cortical areas and so to correlate the 

 data of morphology and physiology. The excellent researches 

 of Dr. A. W. Campbell of Liverpool and the well-known 

 work of Professor Flechsig are rapidly preparing the way for 

 such an advance. 



In the discussion of this matter, in which Professors Hen- 

 SCHEN, Retzius, von Monakow, Edinger and Langley took 

 part, it was agreed that it was too early to adopt the proposed 

 method of describing sulci. 



At other informal meetings various members of the Com- 

 mission gave demonstrations. Professor Ramon y Cajal showed 

 extraordinary specimens of neurofibrillae in ganglion cells 

 stained by his new method and Professor Henschen showed 

 many sections of the calcarine region exhibiting various forms 

 of degeneration in the visual area. 



The Commission is to meet again three years hence. 



G. ELLIOT SMITH. 



