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LOFODEN  NORWEGIAN  COD-LIVER  OIL. 
Every  year,  early  in  the  month  of  January,  the  cod-fish  begin 
their  great  migration  from  the  deep  sea.  Moving  in  a  north- 
easterly direction,  they  approach  the  coast  of  Norway  and  con- 
centrate themselves  upon  the  Lofoden  Islands,  entering  the 
estuaries  by  the  Westfjord.  These  islands  are  situated  near  the 
northern  extremity  of  Norway,  about  150  miles  within  the  Arctic 
Circle.  The  Westfjord  is-  a  sheltered  bay  extending  for  thirty 
miles  between  the  islands  and  the  continent. 
The  cause  of  this  great  migration  of  the  cod  is  probably  due 
to  the  instinct  of  propagation.  The  roe  is  specifically  lighter 
than  sea- water  and  floats  upon  it,  hence  the  fish  seek  those  shal- 
low and  more  quiet  waters  where  their  ova  may  be  securely 
hatched,  protected  equally  from  the  strong  northerly  winds  of 
the  glacial  regions  and  from  the  impetuous  currents  and  waves 
of  the  Atlantic  by  the  lofty  wind-guards  and  natural  break- 
waters they  find  in  the  Lofoden  Islands.  In  this  favorable 
locality,  after  the  roe  is  hatched,  they  leave  their  young  fry. 
Immediately  on  the  appearance  of  the  immense  shoals  of  cod 
at  Lofoden,  a  remarkable  result  ensues, — all  other  kinds  of  fish 
disappear  with  one  consent.  The  exact  cause  of  this  curious 
phenomenon  is  not  yet  understood,  but  literally  it  is  the  fact  that 
the  very  herrings  used  as  bait  can  no  longer  be  taken  in  those 
waters,  but  have  to  be  imported  from  a  distance,  and  are  sold  to 
the  fishermen  as  articles  of  trade.  Two  important  consequences 
attend  this  singular  circumstance;  one,  that  the  fecundated  roe, 
secure  from  the  predatory  attacks  of  many  voracious  enemies, 
has  a  favorable  opportunity  for  development,  whereby  a  large 
supply  of  this  valuable  fish  is  maintained  ;  the  second,  that  no 
other  fish  than  cod  can  be  taken  in  the  nets,  and  consequently, 
no  other  livers  than  those  of  the  cod  can  be  employed  in  the 
preparation  of  the  oil. 
As  soon  as  the  cod  are  known  to  have  arrived,  the  fishing  be- 
gins without  delay.  But  during  the  month  of  January,  the  re- 
sults are  neither  large  nor  important,  as  those  engaged  at  first 
are  only  agricultural  laborers  and  peasants  living  near  the  coasts. 
Fisherman  by  vocation,  many  of  whom  come  from  considerable 
distances,  begin  to  arrive  towards  the  end  of  the  month,  when 
the  great  fishing  commences  ;  the  exact  date  slightly  varies  in 
