b FISHERIES OF THE COASTAL WATERS OF FLORIDA. 



the commercial sponges of the east coast of Africa are obtained in 

 depths as great as 110 feet, but tliere the bottom is of rock; the bars 

 are much larger and more uniformly solid, while our bars are limited in 

 area and surrounded by sand. The African bars are said to be of 

 solid, Hint-like rock, while those of Florida are broken and discontinuous. 



The sheepswool is not only the most important commercially of all 

 the Florida sponges, but is by some regarded as the most abundant 

 species ; others say that the grass and the yellow are really more numer- 

 ous, though, owing to their less commercial value, fewer are marketed. 



The sheepswool sponge attains quite a large size. Some have been 

 found weighing as much as 3 to li pounds. However frequently this 

 may have occurred formerly, sponges of that size are rarely, if ever, 

 seen now. Those obtained now run from 4 to 12 inches, or occasionally 



15 inches, in diameter. The average size probably does not exceed 8 

 to 10 inches in diameter and 8 inches in height. One of the Key West 

 buyers estimates that those being brought in now average about 12 to 



16 to the pound. 



The form of the individual sponge is said not to change much as the 

 sponge gets older, but to remain essentially the same, however long 

 the sponge may be permitted to remain unmolested. Any important 

 irregularities in form or departure from the typical shape are due to 

 interference with its growth through crowding or contact with other 

 objects. On the whole, the sheepswool is probably the most regular 

 and uniform in shape of any of the sponges. It is said to grow pretty 

 well scattered, rather than in colonies, interspersed among gorgonians, 

 corals, and other sponges. 



Accurate information regarding the rate of growth of the sheepswool 

 sponge is not as complete as might be desired. It is believed by many 

 observers to grow the most rapidly of any of the sponges. Some ex- 

 periments performed and observations made by Mr. J. T. Sawyer and 

 others lead them to believe that this species may, under favorable 

 conditions, grow from the beginning to one-tenth of a pound weight in 

 six months. 



As illustrating the short-sighted policy of the spongers in pulling the 

 sponges just so soon as they have attained the minimum lawful size? 

 and even sooner, a case may be cited in which 1,250 sheepswool sponges 

 were sold for $5. It these 1,250 small sponges could have been allowed 

 to grow for six months longer it is estimated that they would have sold 

 for at least $390. 



The opinion that this sponge will grow from the spat to good com- 

 mercial size in one year is practically unanimous. The spongers all 

 testify that grounds which were thoroughly fished out one year are 

 found to yield large numbers of commercial sponges twelve months 

 thereafter. 



It does not appear that sponges have many natural enemies. Many 

 persons more or less conversant with the business think that crabs do 

 some damage. The spongers say that in many instances, when the 



