The relative excitation functions of lines and bands in the near infrared spectrum of nitrogen have been determined using photographic photometry. The maximum of intensity of the (2, 0) and (3, 1) Meinel bands of N₂⁺ occurs at 60 V while that of the NI lines at 8200 Å resulting from the 3s⁴P - 3p⁴P⁰ transition occurs at 90 V.