820 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES. 



mainly ou differences iu shape ami oil the comparative openness of the texture. The Mediter- 

 ranean grades number as many as twenty-five, in the classification of some of the New York 

 importers, but not a few of these must be founded on differences of slight importance. 



The finest grades of sponges are the so-called Turkish sponges of the Mediterranean, the 

 wholesale prices of which range from about $5 to $50 per pound. Next iu quality are the 

 sheepswool sponges of Florida and the Bahamas, bringing from $1.50 to $2.25 per pouud. Not- 

 withstanding this great difference in price between the Turkish and the sheepswool sponges, it 

 is not now generally considered that the latter is so inferior in quality to the former as their 

 respective market values would appear to indicate, and for many of the nicer purposes for which 

 sponges are used, the Florida sheepswool grade is often preferred. The sheepswool sponges are 

 not quite so fine and close iu texture, but they are equally elastic and far more durable, and when 

 properly prepared, greatly outlast the Turkish sponges. The fact that the latter are more care- 

 fully bleached, and therefore generally present a cleaner appearance, and also that they are an 

 imported article adds greatly to their value in the opinion of most persons. The American trade 

 in foreign sponges is very extensive, all of the New York sponge houses engaging in it, while two 

 or more deal iu uo other kinds. 



The Florida sheepswool sponges are now regarded more favorably in the New York market 

 than the Bahama sponges of the same name, the difference in quality being due, it is said, partly 

 to the character and mode of growth, and partly to the method of preparation. Although belong- 

 ing to the same species, the texture of the former is naturally somewhat the finer, and the masses 

 grow iu better and more compact shapes. An examination of a large assortment of Bahama 

 slieepswool sponges as received from the producers will show that a considerable percentage are 

 pierced from below by large and irregular cavities, which sometimes penetrate nearly to the top 

 These are said to be mainly produced by the irregular character of the bottom on which they 

 grow, but they probably also arise from a natural tendency to form a more open structure than 

 the Florida sponges. 



This grading of sponges according to compactness or solidity of structure is also recognized 

 in classifiying the Turkish and other Mediterranean varieties. For instance, the Turkish sponges 

 are first graded according to their texture, into fine, coarse, &c. Then the finer and other grades 

 are again sorted with reference to shape and solidity, the rounder and more compact forms being 

 regarded as the best, while those of a flattened or very irregular shape, or with many large holes, 

 are considered as inferior. So great is the difference between these several divisions of each 

 grade, as determined by shape and solidity, that while the best shapes and structures of the finest- 

 textured Turkish sponges sell sometimes at as high a price as $50 a pound, the inferior shapes 

 and loose structures of the same texture bring but a few dollars a pound- Shape and solidity as 

 well as texture must, therefore, be considered in grading sponges of all varieties, and many of 

 the numerous grades of foreign sponges are formed in this manner. 



Marketable sponges range iu weight from about 1 ounce to 1 pouud, but the smaller sizes 

 within these limits are most in demand. The supply of good grade sponges, of both the Florida 

 and foreign varieties, is unequal to the demand, and very many more could be sold annually than 

 the fishing grounds have yet been made to yield. One dealer informs us that the demand upon 

 him for the better qualities of Florida sponges is ten times greater than he can supply. There 

 are, therefore, no indications at present of an overstocked market, but the question naturally arises 

 as to whether there is not great danger of the fishing grounds becoming exhausted from the 

 continuous drains being made upon them. Certain sections of the Florida coast, which have been 

 most diligently fished over, have become more or less depleted, but new and extensive grounds 



