Issue is taken with the semantic absurdity of the concept of an 'underlying depression' in manic states, the author pointing out that this could be interpreted as implying the coexistence of two simultaneous affective states: a conscious elation and an unconscious depression. The proper question is felt to be one of the relative level of regression. The anlage of elation corresponds to omnipotent satiety at the breast; it precedes the anlage of depression which develops later.