The Shark Fishery for the Oil obtained. 233 



as well as for export to Sweden, where it is greatly appre- 

 ciated. The yolk of this shark's &^^ is used by the in- 

 habitants as a substitute for other eggs in their domestic 

 economy. The skin is employed by joiners and turners 

 for polishing purposes. The liver is exceedingly rich, and 

 makes a very fine oil. 



The other species is called in Norway the kulp or 

 hoastorsk (Squalus spinax niger), and is the smallest of the 

 shark tribe. It is met with in all the deep fiords along the 

 coast, where it commits great mischief by nibbling off the 

 baits from the deep-sea lines which are set out for the ling 

 and the torsk {Brosmus vulgaris). 



Lines with single hooks are never laid out to catch this 

 fish ; but at the end of the summer and autumn, and in 

 some fiords all the year round, instead of a single hook, 

 they employ 10 to 12, placed one above the other, baited 

 with half-decayed or tainted fish. The depth of water 

 selected is from 60 to 100 fathoms. As the kulp is a 

 sluggish fish, bites lightly, and is small, some experience 

 is required to know when he bites and is secured on the 

 hook, especially if there is any wind. The line, however, is 

 not brought up each time the bite is felt, as there are many 

 hooks ; a simple tug is given at every supposed bite. The 

 fish being once hooked generally remains quiet, and one 

 usually finds 8 or 10 fish caught when the line is drawn up. 

 As this fish comes in shoals and takes the bait freely, an 

 experienced, skilful fisherman will occasionally, during a 

 single night, obtain a rich booty. The kulp will not bite 

 during the day. It is not eaten, but sought after ex- 

 clusively for the liver, which is unusually rich, and yields 

 a very superior kind of oil. 



In the bays about the peninsula of Kola, La^iland, the 

 shark fishery is now vigorously carried on by the Russians ; 

 IT 



