58 University of California Puhlications i)i Zoology. [^"ol. 4 



Behavior of the Starfish. 



We propose in the present paper to study the problem of 

 behavior in the starfish. The behavior of starfishes has been 

 much studied, particularly by Preyer (1886) and Romanes 

 (1885), though many others have published observations on 

 these animals. The work of Preyer is one of the best and most 

 careful studies that has ever been made of the behavior of a 

 lower animal. But many of the facts have been left unknown, 

 many important questions unsettled. New problems have arisen, 

 and the study of behavior has entered on a new phase since the 

 time of Preyer and Romanes. Examination of recent works 

 touching animal behavior reveals a number of specific problems 

 in starfish behavior on which thorough study is nuich needed. 

 Thus Driesch (1903) has made the righting reaction the basis of 

 most interesting discussion leading to wide-reaching conclusions, 

 and Driesch himself points out the need of a renewed thorough 

 study of the matter. To this special attention is devoted in the 

 present paper. Loeb (1900) has given marvelously simple ex- 

 planations of such reactions of this animal as are seen in fleeing 

 from an injurious stimulus, — explanations which would have 

 astounded Preyer and Romanes: and has contradicted various 

 observations and conclusions of Preyer (Loeb 1900. p. 65), so 

 that these matters require re-examination. Various investigators 

 have pointed out the interest of a study of the behavior of the 

 starfish with relation to the possibility of the formation of habits. 

 V. Uexkiill made a thorough study of the behavior of the 

 pedicellariae of the sea urchins; similar Avork is needed for the 

 starfish. 



In view of these facts, the writer took the opportunity afforded 

 by a summer at the marine laboratory of the Marine Biological 

 Association of San Diego, at La Jolla, in southern California, 

 to make a renewed study of the behavior of the starfish. Thanks 

 are due to the Marine Biological Association of San Diego, and 

 especially to Professor C. A. Kofoid of the University of Cali- 

 fornia, who was in charge of the laboratory in the sunnner of 

 1906, for lending every possible assistance in the work. 



Many starfish are found near the Station; the commonest 



