* 



The Year in Norway. 13 



many months has been hushed in the deathlike sleep of 

 winter, commences to open out — the hillsides, which until 

 recently were white, now stream with water, the valleys 

 awaken, and vegetation springs to life. 



The pine, the juniper, and silver-birch put forth new 

 shoots, and the grass becomes of emerald green. Norway 

 is at last awake, and her valleys and rivers free them- 

 selves of flood water and debris of winter, putting their 

 homes in order for the reception of their annual visitors — 

 the fish of the sea and the fowls of the air. The divers, 

 ducks, martins, swallows, and small migrants appear as if 

 by magic, seeming impatient for the leafy growth which 

 will afford cover for their domestic arrangements. The 

 bears, with appetites whetted by hibernation, will drop 

 down from the fjelds to indulge in sheep-stealing, and 

 anglers arrive in pursuit of fish. 



Towards the early days of June, many of the rivers 

 will have become free from flood-water, and gradually fine 

 down to a condition favourable to the ascent of fish, which 

 are waiting at the entrance of the fjords, or the mouths 

 of the rivers, until their waters shall be raised to a suitable 

 temperature. 



Fish are now being caught in the nets at the river 

 mouth and all along the fjord, but none are found in the 

 river itself, so there can be no doubt that temperature 

 controls their movements. The natives prophesy that 



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