62 Instinct and Intelligence 



As the sucker feet of a star-fish are only 

 found on the under surface of its arms, the 

 animal, if turned over on its back upon a flat 

 surface, is unable to secure a fixed hold by 

 which to drag its body into its natural position. 

 In these circumstances the animal inverts the 

 tip of one or more of its arms until some of its 

 feet can gain a hold on the surface upon which 

 it has been placed; from this fixed point the 

 animal turns over so as to regain its normal 

 position. 



If a star-fish is moving in a certain direction 

 and one of its foremost arms is pricked or 

 pinched, the animal instantly reverses its 

 course, apparently with the object of escaping 

 from further injury. A hungry star-fish will 

 follow food moved slowly from one to another 

 part of its tank; if it succeeds in grasping the 

 food, it is carried to its mouth, the other arms 

 of the animal, if necessary, coming to assist in 

 this action. 



So long as a star-fish's organs of vision are in 

 working order the animal evinces an inclination 

 to move towards and remain in the light; but 

 if these organs have been destroyed move- 



