Physiology and histology of the Cubomedusæ: including Dr. F.S. Conant's notes on the physiologyBerger, E. W. (Edward William)
Science
Physiology and histology of the Cubomedusæ: including Dr. F.S. Conant's notes on the physiology
Berger, E. W. (Edward William)
Cubomedusae
There is also a difference in the length of time they stay on the bottom
as well as in the quickness in the response to light. Some recover very
quickly, should say in less than a minute, and at once become very
active. Some stay for a long time and only resume activity upon the coat
being placed over them. Perhaps this explains some of the observations in
Experiment 1.
_Sensory Clubs._--10. All four concretions were removed and the animal
stood the operation well. It swam more restlessly, however, than others
did in the same surroundings. It seemed at first to show a trace of loss
of sense-perception. It swam up, and down again, more changeable than
those intact, which stay rather more constantly either on the bottom
or at the surface. This may, however, have been due solely to the
restlessness of the animal after the operation. Later it swam actively
for by far the most part on the surface only, which points to the truth
of the preceding statement.
It showed no reaction to _light_. A coat placed over the jar was removed,
when it was found to be on the surface and it remained there. This was
twice repeated. I noticed specially that on pushing the bell above the
surface of the water it at once turned and went deeper as the normal
animal does. Finally, given another a trial with removing the coat from
the jar, it went to the bottom as the normal animal usually does. After
this, when next seen, it was keeping to the bottom. [This experiment was
repeated on another occasion with almost identical results, no loss of
sense-perception being noticeable.]
Sometimes it seemed as if access of _light_ at removing the coat acted
as a stimulus to one or more of those that were quiescent on the bottom.
This was noticed again on the following day.
11. Two more were operated upon. These did not stand the operation well
and stayed on the bottom, one swimming, while eight hours later one
was in better condition (pulsating) than two left in the same dish for
comparison.
12. a. Three clubs were cut off leaving only the stalks. A temporary
paralysis of the power to swim was the immediate effect. Later it
partially recovered this power. The proboscis, which was previously
quiet, now showed convulsive twitchings and movements. It continued for
some time to move to one side and then the other (after short pauses of
varied length) as if to grasp some object. The lips of the _proboscis_
were also moving and at times expanding. Often the movements were towards
the side on which the club was uninjured.
b. The fourth club was next removed. A temporary paralysis as before
resulted, followed by a quick recovery of pulsation; but the animal was
now much weakened. The movement of the proboscis continued--shortening,
lips expanding, moving to this side or that. The pulsations of the bell
were kept up even when too weak to swim.
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