“Experiments on Tactile Sensations in the White Rat”, 1911 (; backlinks):
Investigated the function of the tactile sensations of the white rat in learning a maze, and the effect of the running of previous mazes upon the subsequent alterations of the original maze, by opening and closing definite pathways. The maze used in the study had a food-box in the corner, and was covered with glass.
A series of experiments were carried out, involving normal and blind rats. It was found that in acquiring the kinesthetic and organic sensations, which the rat later used in running the maze, tactile sensations were more important than smell or vision. The previous learning of the maze was of service in the learning of the altered maze; however, the old habits tended to confine and limit the exploring activity within certain channels of the maze.
The blind rats ran into the doors used to block the old path with more strength and persistence than did the normal rats. [Kerplunk!]