Panum's limiting case-a perceived depth difference between two lines i
n one eye combined with only one in the other eye-has long been consid
ered weak or reversible. In the last few years this has led to strong
promotion of the view that Panum's case is not based on a stereoscopic
process involving double fusion, that only one line is fused, with th
e depth of the other one attributable either to fixation disparity or
to occlusion cues. This view is refuted in two ways. First it is shown
that when the separation of the two lines, considered as a disparity,
is within the range of 'patent stereopsis', depth is perceived with a
precision and accuracy indistinguishable from regular stereopsis. The
predictions of nonstereoscopic theories concerning the effects of fix
ation are not borne out at small disparities. Second, very compelling
Panum versions of orientation and curvature disparity are introduced,
which are difficult to account for except by a process of double fusio
n. Finally it is shown that at large disparities the depth in Panum's
case deviates from prediction more frequently than does regular stereo
scopic depth.