The Nerve-Net of the Actinozoa

Abstract

1. Polarity exists in Calliactis, particularly in the tentacles. In these, there is a centripetal polarity of anatomical origin, but there is in addition a physiological polarity running centrifugally. More stimuli are required to facilitate a conducting path centrally from a point on the tentacle than in the reverse direction. Polarity may originate by the development of differential facilitation rates. 2. In some individuals, a kind of after-discharge is observed. A series of one or more extra contractions follows the primary response to a stimulus. Though these appear only after a stimulus has been given they are only indirectly caused by it. Their presence or absence cannot be predicted and seems to bear no relation to the strength of the stimulus. They introduce an arbitrary element into the otherwise singularly regular relation between stimulus and response. 3. Several possible sources for the phenomenon are considered, including synaptic junctions between conducting units of the nerve net, but there are difficulties in accepting any of them. 4. The nerve net of Calliactis possesses many of the properties of the nervous systems of more highly organised animals. The danger is pointed out of employing the unique skeletal neuromuscular system of the Vertebrata as the standard by which the nervous arrangement of other phyla are to be compared.