73^ 



DEPTHS OF THE OCEAN 



sequence the distribution of the first bottom-stages is different, 

 for instance, in cod and saithe, as shown in Fig. 525. The 

 young saithe, having a comparatively short pelagic life, occur 

 mainly on the south and west coasts, and only to a small extent 

 on the north and east coasts. The eggs and fry of the cod are 

 pelagic for a longer period, and consequently the majority of 

 them drift round to the north and east coasts. 



Fig. 524. — Distribution of Eggs and Larv^ of Gadoids in the Romsdal District. 



Dots denote that less than 500 eggs were taken ; small circles, that 500 to 10,000 eggs were 



taken ; large circles, that 10,000 to 100,000 eggs were taken (March to April 1906) — all in 



hauls of five minutes' duration. Small triangles denote that less than 100 pelagic fry were 



taken, large triangles, that 100 to 10,000 pelagic fry were taken per hour in May to June 1906. 



(From Damas' investigations with the " Michael Sars.") 



When currents run off-shore, the direction of the current 

 and the extent of the influence of the coast-water in the open 

 ocean can be ascertained by studying the distribution of 

 organisms born on the coast banks. As we have seen, this 

 study is also very important for our ideas as to the amount of 

 nutriment carried from the land to the open ocean. Fish fry 

 are actually such current indicators, and in the Norwegian Sea 

 they are accompanied by stinging medusae {Cyanca capillata), 



