MECHANICS OF THE INNER EAR 65 



it is clear that w,e should not be justified in concluding that 

 we must hear the tone 8. This tone would be audible only 

 if the frequency with which the stimuli occur on the ninth 

 section was less than the frequency on the first eight sections. 

 However, there is no reason why we should regard the fre- 



quency as different. It seems most probable, then, that 

 the nerve ends of the ninth section convey to us the sensation 

 of the tone 9, but with a short pause (or possibly, because of 

 the after-sensation, a diminution of intensity only) at the 

 moment about G, when no stimulation takes place. Our total 

 impression of the tone 9 is, of course, the sum of the sensa- 

 tions conveyed by all the nine initial sections. This means 

 that the tone intensity perceived would, on the whole, be 

 nine ; but that for one moment in each period this intensity of 

 the tone might suddenly be slightly decreased. It does not 



