F/SHES. 



589 



characters, which ignorant fishermen have considered to be words of 

 mystery. In November, 1587, two herrings were taken on the coast 

 of Norway, on the bodies of which were markings resembling Gothic 

 printed characters. These herrings had the signal honour of being 

 presented to the King of Norway, Frederick II. This superstitious 

 prince turned pale at sight of this supposed prodigy. On the back of 

 these innocent inhabitants of the deep he saw certain cabalistic 

 characters, which he thought announced his death and that of his 



Fig. 382. The Herring (Clupea harengus). 



queen. Learned men were consulted. Their science, as reported, 

 enabled them to read distinctly words expressing the sentiment, 

 " Very soon you will cease to fish herrings, as well as other people." 

 Other savants were assembled, who gave another explanation ; but in 

 1588 the king died, and the people were firmly convinced thai 

 the two herrings were celestial messengers charged to announce to 

 the Norwegian people the approaching end of the monarch. 



This fish abounds throughout the entire Northern Ocean in 

 immense shoals, which are found in the bays of Greenland, Lapland, 

 and round the whole coast of the British Islands. Great shoals of 

 them occupy the gulfs of Sweden, of Norway, and of Denmark, the 



