[41] 



THE LOFFODEN FISHERY IN 1880. 



573 



For comparison with the preceding years is here given the mean tem- 

 perature at midday for each half month since 1877. 



Table XL. 



Time. 



January 19 to 31 



February 1 to 14 —0.6 



Febru.iry 15 to end 



March Ito 15 



March 16 to 31 - 



A pril ItoH 



Mciiu tcinporatiire 



Mean low temperature. 

 Maximum c<ilcl 



Thus the mean temperature has been nearly the same as in 1878, 

 whereas it has been one-half degree higher than in 1877, and nearly one 

 degree higher than last year. The greatest cold, as in 1877, occurred 

 in the latter half of February. While the severest cold in 1878 and 

 1879 was in the first half of this month, the temperature during the 

 corresponding period this year was 2.0 degi'ees higher than in 1877 ; 

 2.3 degrees higher than in 1878 ; and 6.4 degrees higher than in 1879. 



Comparing the air temperature with the fishing we find that the best 

 catch was in the month of February: In 1877, during the third and 

 fourth weeks* (the coldest); in 1878, during the second and fourth 

 weeks (the coldest) ; in 1879, during the first and fourth weeks (the 

 ctildest and the warmest, especially the latter) ; in 1880, during the 

 third and fourth weeks (the coldest). 



Thus in these four years the best fishing in February has occurred in 

 the last eight days of the month, which probably is simply a ]dain re- 

 sult of the time. The best fishing has occurred during the greatest 

 cold. The air temperature, either at the time of the best fishing or 

 during the days immediately ])receding, appears, liowever, to have had 

 no influence tui the result of the fishery. 



As a coutinu'ition of, and a necessary addition to, the observations of 

 water temperature secured by the inspector during the winter of 1879, 

 the telegraph inspector in Tromso district, J. B. Lie, continued these at 

 Lodingen, at depths of 30 and 100 fathoms, from May to December, 

 both inclusive; 30 series of observations were taken at depths of 30, 36, 

 and 100 fathoms. These are here given entire, since they are unique 

 and of general interest. The inspector has kindly })romised to have 

 these observations continued this year at Lodingen and Sorvaagen. 

 * Not a calendar week, but u space of 7 days. 



