l^O''] Jennings. — Behavior of the Starfish. 119 



A large circular glass jar contained a strong, active starfish, 

 which was now resting- quietly on the bottom. Another starfish 

 which was at rest in a large tank was transferred to the jar, 

 which stood on the observation table, before a window. This new 

 sta 1*6811 at once began to explore its new quartere. It crept about, 

 "feeling" with its tube feet and rays, and testing every inch of 

 its surroundings. Among other activities, it followed around the 

 walls of the jar, creeping part of the time toward the light, part 

 of the time away from it. At first it abstained from thrusting 

 its rays out of the water. But after crawling around the dish a 

 few times, it reached again the side nearest the window, and now 

 made a thorough exploration of the region outside the water. It 

 climbed up the side of the jar to the edge, so that three rays and 

 the disk were out of the water, while half of the other two rays 

 were still immersed. It then reached out over the edge of the 

 jar into space, at least half its diameter being beyond the edge ; 

 the three extended rays waved in all directions in the air, while 

 their tube feet were extended and likewise made exploratory 

 movements. This was continued seven minutes ; then the starfish 

 gave it up ; the rays were withdrawn into the water, and the 

 animal continued exploring the interior of the jar. Having crept 

 completely around the jar, it came back to the side next to the 

 strongly lighted window ; here it began to explore again the 

 region outside the water, climbing partly out of the jar, as be- 

 fore. But this time it did not reach so far outward, and did not 

 continue the process so long as befoi-e, climbing back after two 

 or three minutes and resuming its peregrinations. After again 

 completing the circuit of the vessel, it again reached the side 

 next the window, again thrust certain rays out of the water and 

 felt about for a little, but quickly ceased and went back into the 

 water. It explored the vessel for a few minutes more, then finally 

 came to rest in the angle between the side and the bottom. Its 

 exploration had lasted three-quarters of an hour. Though now 

 no longer creeping about, it was clear that the animal was not 

 at rest, for the tube feet still kept actively moving in one direc- 

 tion after another, for a time. They sometimes stopped for a 

 few minutes, then resumed their activity. It Avas more than an 

 hour after the starfish had been introduced into the jar before it 



