10 
the limits of their own coasts, and as they have been 
already referred to by Professor Huxley, I will only 
briefly notice them. 
Their boats are almost exclusively open, and of a 
small size compared with the usual fishing vessel for the 
open sea. Their lines and hooks are about the same as 
those used by our own smacks, the principle of working 
them is also nearly the same, with this exception, that 
whereas the immense shoals of cod on their journey to 
the coast do not always take the ground—as the term is 
—but move at a greater or less depth, they ascertain 
the position of the fish in the sea, and then instead of 
sinking their line to the bottom they suspend it in mid- 
water by means of glass globes which they attach to 
their line. Specimens of these glass globes may be seen 
in the splendid collection of the Norwegian department. 
I am not aware that this system is used by any other 
fishermen, but it recommends itself as a very ingenious 
and successful method, and as a proof of its utility I may 
remark that instances have come under my notice in 
which on a line of 3000 hooks, so suspended, 2000 fish 
have been taken in one haul, while neighbouring boats 
whose lines have been set at a greater depth have drawn 
almost a blank. 
Some attempts have been made of late years by the 
Norwegians to take a part in the open sea fisheries, and 
I regret to say they have not been so successful as 
they deserve. I venture, however, to express the opinion 
that as a people they possess too much energy and 
enterprise to be baffled by a few fruitless attempts, and 
that by perseverance they will succeed. A people so 
hardy, and by constant practice so inured to the hardships 
and dangers of the sea, is eminently qualified to take 
a prominent position in this direction. Having so far 
