Page:The American Journal of Psychology Volume 1.djvu/46

 40 LOMBARD :

A little study of the table tells one that the lowest averages were obtained in examinations taken at the beginning and end of each day. Inasmuch, however, as the first examination was made when the subject was just out of bed and still half asleep, while all the rest were made after he had been thor- oughly roused, it would seem that the first exami- nation, though of great interest, could scarcely be compared to the rest. Of the six remaining exami- nations, the one taken immediately after breakfast has, usually, decidedly the largest average. There are exceptions to this rule, however; thus, on April 1st the highest average was got at 1.15 P. M.; on April 3d at 3.30 P. M ; on April 5th at 7.45 P.M; and on April 11th at 2.30 P. M. No cause suggests itself why an exception to the rule should have occurred on April 1st, unless, indeed, some unusual excitement prevailed at the time of the examination. The same may be said of April 3d ; this day was Sunday, however, and the change of hours and the absence of hard work in the morning may have influenced the result. On the 5th of April, the dis- turbing cause was without doubt the weather. The barometer, which was low in the morning, as can be seen by referring to the table of the day, rose, and the temperature fell as the day advanced. Later in the paper it will be shown that such changes are potent influences and always tend to increase the extent of the knee-jerk. With regard to April 11th, it can only be said that the journal reports that there was a seminal emission early in the morning. Whether this fact accounts for the depression of the averages early in the day cannot be definitely de- cided. In spite of the exceptions noted, it is just to