Brain weight and maze learning in rats.

Abstract

63 rats of the F14 generation of Heron''s maze-bright and maze-dull animals were sacrificed at about 1 yr. of age after having demonstrated a significant difference in maze-learning ability. Brains were removed and placed in 1% formalin for "at least 5 days," were then removed to air to allow formalin to evaporate (24 hrs.) and were then "carefully weighed," desiccated at 80[degree] to 100[degree] C. for 24 hrs. and re-weighed. Brain was then calcined and ash weighed. In no case was the difference between brights and dulls statistically significant, although for the case of the ratio of body-wt. to non-dehydrated brain wt., the critical ratio of the difference was 2.21.