Reaction to Visual Flicker in the Newt Triturus

The flicker response curve for the newt Triturus viridescens (water phase) has much the same quantitative structure as that found with various fresh-water teleosts at the same temperature (21.5 degrees ). The variability of critical intensity and of critical flash frequency likewise follows the same rules. The cone portion of the F - log I curve is much more widely spread, however. This, and the rather low maximum to which the rod curve rises, produce a considerable overlapping of the two parts additively fused. In addition, and to an extent which differs in various individuals, there is apparent a slight departure from the probability integral form of the cone curve. Reasons are given for considering that this is possibly connected with the role of an additional (small) number of (perhaps temporary, or developmental) retinal elements in addition to the typical rods and cones.