The writer examined the epipode, which is a dorso-lateral outgrowth of the foot, of four important forms of Japanese abalones, viz., Haliotis gigantea Gmelin, H. gigantea sieboldi Reeve, H. gigantea discus Reeve and H. kamtschtkana Jonas. Figures A, B & C show that the first three cau be easily distinguished by this character. But the fourth can not be separated from the third since both are similar in the character under consideration.