6. SOUND PRODUCTION AND DETECTION
163
The relation of the inner ear to sound reception was demonstrated
by means of extirpation techniques. Manning (1924) and von Frisch and
Stetter (1932) localized the main sound detection sense in the sacculus
and lagena, and von Frisch (1938b) further demonstrated the importance
of the Weberian ossicles in transmitting the sound from the swim bladder
to the sacculus.
The morphology of the inner ear and swim bladder of fishes has been
extensively studied, beginning with the report of Weber (1820) and detailed works by Bridge and Haddon (1893, 1889) on the Weberian apparatus of siluroid fishes. The 1930 decade seemed to be one of the most
productive periods, with many major anatomical contributions (de Burlet, 1934; Farkas, 1938a,b; Froese, 1938; Tomaschek, 1936, 1937; Wohlfahrt, 1938). The report by Froese (1938) covered 68 species in 42
families and stressed the various types of connections existing between
the swim bladder and the inner ear. This connection and its possible
function in clupeid fishes was explored by Wohlfahrt (1936, 1938) and
in mormyrids by Stipetih (1939). The course of the VIIIth nerve and its
connections with the inner ear in fishes was described by Pearson (1936),
including data on the connection of Mauthner‘s cells and the swim bladder. By means of electrophysiological techniques, the microphonic response of the fish labyrinth and action potentials in the VIIIth nerve were
demonstrated (Adrian, 1938).
Controversy as to the function of the lateral line system has existed
for a long time. Parker (1902, 1905) theorized that the lateral line system
is capable of detecting only shock waves, currents, and possibly low frequency sounds. Whether these periodic and nonperiodic phenomena can
be called sound, and their detection hearing, depends upon one’s definitions of sound and hearing. This question is related to the distinction between near-field and far-field acoustics and is taken up elsewhere in this
chapter.
Several investigators confirmed Parker’s contention that the lateral
line is a low frequency sound (sensu latu) detector (Rode, 1929;
Schriever, 1936). This property of the lateral line appeared to be associated with the ability of a fish to orient itself with respect to obstacles
and sources of water currents. Although Reinhardt (1935) denied that
fish were capable of localizing sound sources, Dijkgraaf (1934) and von
Frisch and Dijkgraaf ( 1935) demonstrated clearly that fish could orient
with respect to obstacles, nearby sources of water movements, and nearby
low frequency sound sources. Some sort of cutaneous sensory system was
postulated, and the lateral line system was considered a strong possibility
in such orientations (Sand, 1937).
The innervation of the lateral line system including head canals, indicates strongly that its function must be in some way related to that of
163
The relation of the inner ear to sound reception was demonstrated
by means of extirpation techniques. Manning (1924) and von Frisch and
Stetter (1932) localized the main sound detection sense in the sacculus
and lagena, and von Frisch (1938b) further demonstrated the importance
of the Weberian ossicles in transmitting the sound from the swim bladder
to the sacculus.
The morphology of the inner ear and swim bladder of fishes has been
extensively studied, beginning with the report of Weber (1820) and detailed works by Bridge and Haddon (1893, 1889) on the Weberian apparatus of siluroid fishes. The 1930 decade seemed to be one of the most
productive periods, with many major anatomical contributions (de Burlet, 1934; Farkas, 1938a,b; Froese, 1938; Tomaschek, 1936, 1937; Wohlfahrt, 1938). The report by Froese (1938) covered 68 species in 42
families and stressed the various types of connections existing between
the swim bladder and the inner ear. This connection and its possible
function in clupeid fishes was explored by Wohlfahrt (1936, 1938) and
in mormyrids by Stipetih (1939). The course of the VIIIth nerve and its
connections with the inner ear in fishes was described by Pearson (1936),
including data on the connection of Mauthner‘s cells and the swim bladder. By means of electrophysiological techniques, the microphonic response of the fish labyrinth and action potentials in the VIIIth nerve were
demonstrated (Adrian, 1938).
Controversy as to the function of the lateral line system has existed
for a long time. Parker (1902, 1905) theorized that the lateral line system
is capable of detecting only shock waves, currents, and possibly low frequency sounds. Whether these periodic and nonperiodic phenomena can
be called sound, and their detection hearing, depends upon one’s definitions of sound and hearing. This question is related to the distinction between near-field and far-field acoustics and is taken up elsewhere in this
chapter.
Several investigators confirmed Parker’s contention that the lateral
line is a low frequency sound (sensu latu) detector (Rode, 1929;
Schriever, 1936). This property of the lateral line appeared to be associated with the ability of a fish to orient itself with respect to obstacles
and sources of water currents. Although Reinhardt (1935) denied that
fish were capable of localizing sound sources, Dijkgraaf (1934) and von
Frisch and Dijkgraaf ( 1935) demonstrated clearly that fish could orient
with respect to obstacles, nearby sources of water movements, and nearby
low frequency sound sources. Some sort of cutaneous sensory system was
postulated, and the lateral line system was considered a strong possibility
in such orientations (Sand, 1937).
The innervation of the lateral line system including head canals, indicates strongly that its function must be in some way related to that of