16 THE SILVERY HOSTS OF THE NORTH SEA. 



in his report to the International Exhibition at Ber- 

 gen, says that the result of his observations leads 

 him to conclude that herring, in general, inhabit 

 the great submarine depths, and that they do not 

 take up their quarters beyond the 65 latitude. 



The proper home of the herring is the North Sea 

 and the Atlantic, and the seas connected with them, 

 such as the Baltic and the Kattegat ; thus the her- 

 ring ranges along the coasts of Norway, Sweden, 

 Denmark, France, British Isles, Greenland, and the 

 north-east coasts of North America. 



" The appearance of the herring first in the north, 

 then gradually farther south, the wealth of the fish 

 near the Dogger Bank, which is washed by cold water 

 during the months of April to June, are hints point- 

 ing to the intimate connection existing between the 

 temperature of the sea and its animal life." 



There are three conditions of sea water which 

 exercise a decided influence over its animal and 

 vegetable life, viz., temperature, saltness, and currents. 



Shallow waters are subject to more frequent and 

 greater ranges of temperature than are deep waters, 

 and seas which, like the Baltic, receive large masses 

 of fresh water from rains and melting snows, also 

 differ considerably in saltness. As observed by one 

 of the writers of the reports issued by the United 

 States Government (a noble example which might 

 be followed with advantage by others, and to whom, 

 as well as to other writers, we are indebted for much 

 valuable information, for all of which we here grate- 

 fully acknowledge our obligations), the North Sea 



