The Prolonged Activity of Momentarily Stimulated Nerves

Abstract

When the chromatophoral nerves in the tail of a cat-fish (Ameiu-rus) or of a killifish (Fundulus) are severed, the melanin in the chromatophores of the innervated region disperses, thus giving rise to a dark caudal band which may persist for several days. This activity can be shown to be due not to the block of inhibitory impulses, not to nerve degeneration, not to gross mechanical stimulation, but to a long continued activity of the severed nerve fibers.