PREFACE
Volume V of this treatise is concerned with sensory systems and
some aspects of function of the central nervous system. Sensory systems
have been extensively studied in fish not only because of a wide general
interest in the behavioral and sensory physiology of this group but
also because, in many instances, fish are technically suitable for general
studies of sensory systems and have certain receptors not present in other
groups. Electroreceptors fall into this category; these receptors are unique
to fishes, and studies of this system have application to receptor function
in general.
Electric organs, an effector rather than receptor system, are discussed
in this volume because of the functional relationships between electroreception and electric organ discharge. The Mauthner neuron which
is another system studied both to increase understanding of neuronal
organization in fish and because the Mauthner cell constitutes a useful
preparation for studying synaptic function and the integration of activity
in neuronal networks in general is discussed in another chapter.
Neurophysiology, particularly sensory physiology, is a very active
area of biology. The chapters in this volume, perhaps more than in other
volumes, can only present a summary of the present state of science
in this rapidly expanding and developing field. We hope that this volume
reflects some of the excitement and activity in sensory physiology and
will be a useful introduction to students in this area of biology.
W. S. HOAR
D. J. RANDALL
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