<^ .^.Xa-^.f.. a^-X (sU< l"t- 



30 



cod season. And that a considerable difference in the year's num- 

 ber of cod-individuals fit for propagation exercises a perceptible 

 influence on the produce of the winter fisheries, must be considered 

 most probable. A reduction of the number of the cods of the 

 season that are fit for propagation, may of course in part be caused 

 by unfavourable physical conditions during the fry stages, (in ana- 

 logy with the unfavourable influence of severe frost on the young 

 grouse), but at present not very much can be said about this matter. 



— In the present work I have tried, with a good will and at 

 the best of my ability, to draw reasonable conclusions from the 

 observations of others as well as my own. In certain points my 

 views differ from those of previous authors. It may be that I have 

 concluded more than the observations allow of, or that I have even 

 judged of facts in a wrong way. It is however my hope that the 

 material of observations I have brought forward will prove useful 

 for future investigations. 



