XXIII. 



THE SPONGE FISHERY AND TRADE 



By RICHARD RATHBUN. 



a. COMMERCIAL IMPORTANCE or SPOXC;ES. 

 1. General review of the sponge trade. 



1>. THE FLORIDA SPONGK FISHERY. 



2. The sponge grounds. 

 :!. The sponging vessels and their outfit. 

 I. Methods of conducting the sponge fishery. 

 .".. Origin of the Florida sponge fishery. 

 (>. The danger of overfishing: artificial propagation of 

 sponge?. 



c. THE BAHAMA spoxr.p. FISHKRY. 



7. The methods of the fishery. 



fl. THK MEDITERRANEAN SPOXCE FISHERY. 



8. The methods of the fishery. 



c. THE SPOX<;F. TRADE. 



9. Character and extent of the New York sponge trade. 

 in. Origin and growth of the New York sponge trade. 

 11. Fraudulent practices. 



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