292 LABRADOR 



affect the fish directly, or may control the distribution 

 of the other animals on which he feeds, thus affecting the 

 cod himself indirectly. The cod will not feed in water 

 under 34 F. He prefers temperatures ranging between 

 35 F. and 42 F. On the cod-bearing Norwegian waters 

 the hottest month is August, when the surface of the sea 

 averages 43.5 F. (12.8 C.) ; ten fathoms down it averages 

 41.9 F. (11 C.), and twenty fathoms from the surface, 

 37 F. (5.6 C.). The coldest month is February, when the 

 averages are : surface, 32 F. (0 C.) ; at ten fathoms, 33.8 

 F. (1.25 C.); at twenty fathoms, 36.5 F. (2.5 C.). From 

 the few observations I have taken of the Labrador, the 

 average surface temperature in summer varies from 40 

 to 45 F. In the summer of 1900, Mr. R. A. Daly of the 

 Brown-Harvard expedition made some serial readings of 

 the temperatures in the coastal waters on days when abun- 

 dant cod could be taken from the schooner on which 

 the temperatures were determined. Two carefully cali- 

 brated thermometers gave accordant results. A few ex- 

 amples of the serial readings may be of interest as showing 

 how very cold may be the water in which the cod appears 

 to thrive. The tables also indicate the density of the 

 water as collected in a "Mill" bottle at various depths. 

 The rapid changes of temperature and of salinity in a few 

 fathoms are noteworthy. 



FIRST SERIES 



At anchor, three and one-half miles west of Cape Pomi- 

 adluk, Labrador; 8 P.M., July 31. Air temperature, 

 11.3 C. (52.3 F.). 



