FISHERIES OF AMERICA 163 



nations bordering the North Sea are pre- 

 pared to contribute their share of the 

 cost, and to assist in eliminating wasteful 

 methods. 



The study of marine life is actively pur- 

 sued by the Americans. In most of the 

 large cities there are aquaria where the 

 people are quick to recognize the educa- 

 tional advantage and pleasurable interest 

 in observing the habits and characteristics 

 of fish life, and one might say that it is 

 considered quite as necessary an institu- 

 tion as a picture gallery. In view of the 

 number of people who visit these palatial 

 halls, one must admit that they seem to 

 be far more popular with the average 

 citizen. In the tessellated pavement of 

 some of these exhibitions are circular pools 

 where some of the largest fish, such as sea- 

 cows and sea-lions disport themselves for 

 the benefit of the interested spectator. 

 Detroit and Boston have each an aquarium, 

 visited by over a million people per annum, 

 and enjoying a popularity which perhaps 

 is only exceeded by the attractions of the 

 magnificent institution in New York. We 

 have scores of English coast cities with 



