Consistent with numerous previous reports (Dreher et al., 1980; Duysens et al., 1982b; Rapaport et al., 1982; Dreher, 1986; Pettigrew and Dreher, 1987; see however Bergeron et al., 1998), in control condition, a large proportion (42%; 8/19) of area 19 cells preferred low (<15°/s) velocities and responded poorly to optimally oriented stimuli moving at velocities exceeding 20°/s (Figures 2A,B, 4Ci). Two of these cells with preferred velocities 6.6°/s and 13.2°/s, ceased to respond at velocities 46.2°/s and 66°/s, respectively. A majority (58%; 11/19) however, responded preferentially at velocities in the 40°–50°/s range (Figure 4Ci) and only one of them ceased to respond at the highest velocity (66°/s) tested.