CHRISTIANIA, lOOh 391 



(C, §§ 1-18), but the local arrangements are left to the respective 

 Governments. In this matter the Conference merely draws the 

 attention of each country concerned to the necessity of providing a 

 specially constructed steamer for the scientific investigations (Resolu- 

 tion D). These steamers are to be employed in the regular investi- 

 gation of predetermined areas adjoining the coasts of the respective 

 countries. As will be seen from the programme (A, § 2), they are to 

 make simultaneous quarterly cruises for the collection of the necessary 

 physical observations, and are to be engaged in the intervals in the 

 fishing and other experiments detailed in the biological programme. 



It remains only to draw attention to the fact that the adhesion of 

 the Continental Governments to the Scheme of International Explora- 

 tions has already been signified, and that the work is announced to 

 begin in May, 1902, at latest (cf. Eesolution E). 



The decision of the British Government has not yet been announced. 



June loth, 1901. 



MEETINGS OF THE CONFERENCE. 



ABSTRACT OF THE MINUTES. 



(Translated and slightly abridged. ) 



Monday, May Gth, 1901. 



12 noon. — Opening of the Conference in the reception hall of the 

 University of Christiania by His Excellency the Prime Minister of 

 Norway, Mr. Steen. 



On behalf of His Majesty the King of Norway, Mr. Steen extended 

 a cordial welcome to the members of the Conference. He said that 

 they were assembled, as all knew, to draw up their final proposals for 

 an international investigation of the North and adjacent seas. Repeated 

 attempts on an isolated footing had been made to solve the problems of 

 the sea and of the manifold life beneath its surface, and only after ripe 

 experience had the different nationalities come to recognise that co- 

 operation in their labours was essential to success. The task before 

 them was not only an intellectual enterprise of the highest order, but 

 also an application of knowledge in the service of the industrial life of 

 society. It might be difficult to help the fisherman to know where to 

 shoot his nets with the same certainty of a harvest as that with which 

 the farmer manipulated his land and crops. Nevertheless, that was 

 their aim ; and if it were only approximately realised, sea-fishing would 

 become the object of intelligent management, relieved of the caprices 

 of chance which at present characterised it. Norway long ago took up 

 and had constantly extended the scope of her scientific investigations 



NEW SERIES.— VOL. VI. NO. 3. 2D 



