382 THE OUTGO OF ENERGY 



About 35, muscular twitchings will be seen. 

 At 38-40 death takes place and the muscles 

 become rigid (heat rigor). 



This observation shows that volition in all 

 probability is absent in the brainless frog. It 

 follows that reflex actions are not volitional ; 

 their " purpose " is only apparent. 



EEFLEX AND REACTION TIME 



Reflex Time. Destroy the brain of a frog with 

 the seeker. Hold one leg of the frog aside with 

 the glass rod. Bring beneath the other a small 

 beaker almost full of dilute sulphuric acid 

 {2:1000). Eaise the beaker until the foot is 

 immersed to the ankle. Count the seconds be- 

 tween the application of the stimulus (sulphuric 

 acid) and the withdrawal of the foot. 



This interval is the reflex time. 



Wash the foot carefully in the bowl of water. 



Reaction Time. Smoke a drum. Eaise the 

 drum off its friction bearing by turning the screw 

 at the top of the shaft. Place the writing point 

 of an electromagnetic signal against the smoked 

 paper. Arrange a tuning fork to write its curve 

 near that of the signal. Connect the signal 

 through two simple keys and a dry cell with the 

 primary coil of an inductorium arranged for 

 maximal single induction currents (posts 1 and 



