679 
is determined by the volume of the nucleus. The name of neurokinete 
may, indeed, very appropriately be given to the nucleus. We may 
onee more point out the analogy to catalysis or enzyme action. 
In dissimilar species (and neurones) the section of the axone varies 
proportionally as a smaller power of the body weight than 0.22 or 
4/;3 (between the Monse and Man 0,1693) or as a greater power of 
the body weight. Therefore the velocity v, which a layer of anions 
(or other material particles) of the axone obtains in the ganglion cell, 
must in one case be greater (between the Mouse and Man v varies 
in the proportion of P°19%1), in the other case smaller than with 
species (and neurones) of equal form. 
The kinetic energy imparted to this layer by the ganglion cell, 
whose volume varies in the same relation with the body weight for 
species of dissimilar form as for species of equal form, continues 
to vary in the same way. For, the mass of the layer, determined 
by the cross section of the axone, varies iversely as the length of the 
uxone (i.e. between the Mouse and Man in the ratio of 05821), and 
the square of its velocity (between the Mouse and Man in the ratio 
of P8862) varies inversely as the cross section, hence directly as 
the length. The energy remains proportional to 4 qv? and to /g. 
In a previous communication I discussed the relation between the 
velocity of the propagation of the stimulation process, and the area 
of the eross section of the nerve fiber and the axone.') It is self- 
evident that per unit of length in the same time the stimulation 
process performs more work in relation to the cross section of the axone. 
It corresponds morphologically that the joint area of the parts of 
the walls of the spumoid compartments that are placed transversely 
increases with the cross section of the axone, for in the same degree 
more anions diffuse in the unit of time. 7) 
Thus our present views on the nature of the mechanism of the 
transmission of the stimulation process in the nerve fiber find full 
confirmation in the quantitative relations of the nervous system. 
” 
1) “The Significance of the Size of the Neurone and its Parts”. These Proc. 
Vol. XXI, (1918) p. 711—729. 
*) In connection with this the chronaxy, which expresses the time during which 
a nerve elaborates an electric stimulation, so that it reacts to it, is slight for thick 
nerve fibers, great for thin nerve fibers: L. Lapicgue et R. Leaenpre in Comptes 
rendus de l'Académie des Sciences, Paris 1913 Tome 157, p. 1163—1166. 
L. Laricove et R. Leoenore in Bulletin du Muséam d'histoire naturelle. Paris 1914, 
N°. 4, p. 248—252. — Cf. on chronaxy also J. K. A. Werrueim SALOMONSON, 
especially in “Nederlandsch Tijdschrift voor Geneeskunde, Jaargang 1919. 2e. Helft 
N°. 15. 
rn 
