This research began as a study of general reflexes, but we soon found that the scope of such a problem was altogether too large and were forced to limit ourselves to the examination of the plantar reflex. We believe that we have shown three things: that the condition of the patient, particularly whether asleep or awake, is of considerable importance in the type of reaction obtained; that the type of stimulus and its strength are important, and that the reaction type varies considerably at various stages in the age development of the child. REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE Since Babinski first described what he chose to call "the phenomenon of the toes." in 1896, it has been an accepted fact that this reaction signified a disturbance of pyramidal tract function. His description of the reaction is complete in every detail and has been of tremendous value to neurologists. One phase of