In a paper recently communicated to the Royal Society by Dr. Ferrier (Proceedings, No. 151) it is shown that when two ends of copper wire distant from each other not more than a couple of millimetres, and in metallic communication with the terminals of the secondary coil of a Du Bois’s induction-apparatus in action, are applied to certain spots of the surface of either hemisphere, and great intensity is given to the induced currents thereby directed through the living tissue, by previously bringing the secondary coil into such a position that it is very close to the primary coil or even partially covers it, characteristic combined movements of the opposite side of the body are produced. With reference to these effects, it was observed by Dr. Ferrier (1) that excitation of the same spot always produces the same movement in the same animal, (2) that the area of excitability for any given movement (or, as it may be called for shortness,
active spot
) is extremely small and admits of very accurate definition, and (3) that in different animals excitations of anatomically corresponding spots produce similar or corresponding results. From these remarkable facts and from others similar to them relating to other parts of the brain to which I do not now advert, it was inferred that, at the surface of the hemispheres, certain “centres” are to be found, of which it is the function to originate combined or even purposive movements.