THE EUROPEAN SEAS. 



61 



aspects, and to the investigation, so energetically 

 pursued, of the Fauna and Flora of their region. 

 The naturalists of the Boreal regions are almost 

 always intimately acquainted with the creatures of 

 the countries in which they live ; a remark which 

 cannot be applied to all parts of Europe. Linnaeus, 

 that mighty mind, who, unquestionably, by syste- 

 matizing the entire length and breadth of his science, 

 laid the foundations of the vast superstructure 

 which is fast attaining majestic dimensions, set the 

 admirable example of investigating, in all its details, 

 the natural history of his own country. And ever 

 since his time, the naturalists of Scandinavia have 

 been indefatigable in the exploration of their native 

 lands and neighbouring seas. To mention those 

 who have worked with success the marine natural 

 history of the Boreal province, would be to fill pages 

 with long arrays of eminent names, a catalogue not 

 likely to be suddenly terminated, since the same 

 spirit is at work in the north, and new candidates 

 for fame are yearly appearing. 



I must content myse]f by referring to a very few 

 among those now living, whose writings more espe- 

 cially concern the subjects of this chapter, — to the 

 veteran Nilson, to Loven, to Sars, Steenstrup, 

 Eschricht, Kroyer, and Oersted. One name among 

 the many illustrious dead, that of Otho Frederic 

 Miiller must not be unrecorded in any work on 

 the « Natural History of the Sea." 



The Boreal province may be regarded as the 



