INLAND FISHERIES. 



65 



The growth of these specimens is tabuh^ted below. (Measure- 

 ments were made from mouth to tip of new arm, l)ut figures in 

 table indicate merely new growth, and are derived by subtracting 

 3 m. m. from original figures.) 



' It was intended at first to keep account only of rate of regeneration, and so four stars 

 were picked out, of about the same size, and one only was measured. Tiiis was 12 mm. The 

 others may hare been one or two millimeters larger or smaller. The growth of this specimen 

 and the size of the single arm alone, on September 26, are given in diagram Fig. 24, .4 and B 

 respectively. 



* One detached arm still alive— measures 7 mm. 



^ Tips cut off and arm slit on September 15. The longest arm was then 22 mm., and the 

 regenerating arms 15 and 10 mm. respectively. 



* Arm broken off, probably by handling, on September 5. 



This experiment shows conclusively that when even two arms 

 are lost the growth of the starfish is not necessarily arrested or the 

 rate of growth diminished. The rate of growth in the new arms 

 was greater than in the original arms, and there was a tendency, 

 therefore, for all to become ultimately of the same length (Table 

 T>, October 12 to November 5). 



Su?mna?y : The results show clearly that within very broad 

 limits it is impossible to tell the age of a starfish from its size. 

 Starfishes of all ages are able to live for months with very little or 

 no food. The rate of growth depends directly upon the amount 

 of food eaten. Starfishes which are regenerating one, or even 



