SOME RESULTS OF THE INTERNATIONAL FISHERY INVESTIGATIONS. 441 



A good deal of scientific work of this kind was carried on, botli hy 

 the Scandinavian hydrograpliers and by the Scottish Fishery Board, 

 prior to the beginning of the International Investigations. There was, 

 for instance, a notable expedition in 1893, in the course of which results 

 of some value were obtained ; and, both in Norway and Sweden, 

 frequent investigations, by vessels equipped for the purpose or by 

 commercial vessels, have been made. T refer, of course, to hydrogra])hic 

 work in the North European area. It is well known that such research 

 always formed a prominent part of the work of the great exploring 

 voyages. But much of the research carried on in this part of North 

 European waters is now known to be faulty ; and the results obtained 

 cannot be utilized for comparison with those now being procured by 

 the International organization. Methods were faulty in the past — 

 particularly the methods of obtaining water samples and temperatures 

 from deep-water levels or from the sea bottom. Even the determina- 

 tion of the salinity of the sample was not always carried out with 

 accuracy. It was not until the creation of the International organization 

 that co-ordination became possible. It was essential that the work should 

 be carried on under the supervision of a central authority, and that large 

 numbers of observations should simultaneously be made over a very 

 extensive area. It was further essential for strict accuracy that water 

 samples should be obtained and temperatures observed by instruments 

 of identical pattern. When the International scheme was initiated in 1902 

 all these things became practicable. The region under investigation was 

 divided into a number of sub-areas, one or more of which were allotted 

 to each of the participating countries. In each of these sub-areas lines 

 were marked out traversing significant portions of the sea area, and on 

 each line were laid down a number of "stations." A station is a 

 stopping-place for the exploring vessel at which observations are made. 

 On reaching the station an ordinary sounding is made and a sample of 

 water from the surface of the sea is taken, part of which is reserved 

 for analysis. The temperature of the sea surface being determined, a 

 series of hydrographic soundings is then made. 



Not the least creditable achievement of the International Fisheries 

 researches is the perfection of the water-bottle. In the latest form of 

 this instrument, which was designed l)y l*rofessors Pettersson and 

 Nansen, we have an almost perfect means of collecting samples of water 

 from the sea bottom or at any other depth, and at tlic same time 

 determining the temperature of this water in situ. The water-bottle 

 in principle consists of a central chamber, in which is tixed a delicate 

 deep-sea thermometer. Bound this central chamber are a number 

 of concentric cylinders of ebonite and brass. Tlie bottle is lowered in 

 an open condition, and when the rec^uired depth has been attained it is 



