176 Charles W. Hargitt 
normal phenomena of behavior, as of other vital activities, have 
their average play. That either above or below these the phe- 
nomena tend to become exceptional or abnormal. ‘This has been 
found to be true in the present instance. 
While a comparison of the reactions of F and G as shown in 
Table V at temperatures of 25° and 20°, might strongly suggest 
an important effect due to that factor, on the other hand the reac- 
tions of I and J of same table at 21° does not seem to sustain that 
interpretation. Something of similar import is also shown in the 
records of the preceding table, where with but one degree of dif- 
ference the difference in time reaction is very considerable. ‘The 
same thing was shown from numerous other records not here given. 
Though the influence of temperature may not be negligible in 
relation to the problem it can hardly be claimed to be of primary 
or exclusive importance. 
Variation in Oxygen Content 
In connection with the experiments relating to the influence of 
temperature on behavior it was thought that variation of the oxy- 
gen content of the water might have some effect. As a simple 
qualitative test it was attempted to vary the amount of free oxygen 
by the process of boiling a given quantity of sea-water for some 
fifteen or twenty minutes, then closing the flask with a rubber stop- 
per, and after cooling to the normal temperature try the effect of 
immersing the specimens in the flask thus treated. ‘This was done, 
two specimens being used, and the records of reaction tabulated. 
These failed to show in the slightest way any appreciable effect 
of the change. While the slightest variation of attitude of a 
given specimen could be critically observed, nothing could be seen 
to indicate the slightest signs of discomfort in any way, even after 
the specimens had been kept in the deoxygenated water for several 
hours. 
The experiment was repeated on the following day, under the 
best precautions to guard against error. A Bunsen valve was used 
in the flask which permitted the egress of steam but automatically _. 
closed as soon as boiling ceased, thus precluding the ingress of air. 
The specimens were again immersed in the flask of boiled water, 
