In contrast to Russia, Norway, with its paucity of arable soil and of other natural resources, finds its long indented coastline and the coast-bred seamanship of its people a progressively important national asset.

Hence as ocean-carriers the Norwegians have developed a merchant marine nearly half as large again as that of Russia and Finland combined--1,569,646 tons[125] as against 1,084,165 tons.
This growing dependence of a civilized people upon its land is characterized by intelligence and self-help.

Man forms a partnership with nature, contributing brains and labor, while she provides the capital or raw material in ever more abundant and varied forms.

As a result of this cooeperation, held by the terms of the contract, he secures a better living than the savage who, like a mendicant, accepts what nature is pleased to dole out, and lives under the tyranny of her caprices.
NOTES TO CHAPTER III.
[79] H.J.Mackinder, Britain and the British Seas, p.196.London, 1904.
[80] Gardner, Atlas of English History, Map 29.

New York, 1905.
[81] Hereford George, Historical Geography of Great Britain, pp.