Bergh

berg, Henry (1823-1888), an American philanthropist. He was born in New York City. Mr. Bergh was educated at Columbia College. He was for three years secretary of the American legation and United States consul at St. Petersburg. On his return to New York he took up work in that city, corresponding to that of Mr. Angell in Boston. In 1865 he organized the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. He was president of this society up to the time of his death. The laws of New York gave the society and its agents authority to arrest and prosecute teamsters and others guilty of cruelty to horses, cows, dogs, or other faithful animals. No less than thirty-six states and territories adopted statutes imitating those of New York. Mr. Bergh was an author of some repute. His greatest success was a volume of tales entitled The Streets of New York. See Angell; George T

Bering (be'ring) Strait, the narrow sea that separates Siberia from Alaska It is not to exceed 200 feet in depth, and is only thirty-six miles wide at the narrowest point. It is quite possible that in time railway trains may be ferried over, or that a tunnel under Bering Strait may some day connect Asia and North America. Fogs and cold weather prevail. From November to May, the strait is icebound. Whales are seen in the strait and walruses dig clams in its shallows. The strait was discovered in 1728 by Vitus Bering, a Danish navigator in the service of Russia. He also explored the coast of North America, and the sea which bears his name. See Alaska; Seal