The labyrinthine posture reflex (righting reflex) in the cat during weightlessness.

LTHOUGH it is generally accepted that linear acceleration is the physical stimulus for the otolith organ, its function during periods of increased and decreased gravity has not been ~ l a r i f i e d . ~ , ~ J ~ In 1952, SlaterlG discussed the probable response of the otoliths to the weightless condition by drawing some tentative conclusion from morphologic data and electrophysiologic experiments made by Adrian1 and Lowensteing, and by Lowenstein and Raberts.lo The experiments in this report deal with the otolith functions of the cat. The findings are thought to throw some light on the vestibular processes during subgravity and zero-gravity. The means of sensing the effect of gravity, which is actually a linear accelerative force, is provided by a set of mechanically affected organs of the