FISHES. 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 
Pig. 382.—Vhe 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 that 
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 
