8 FISHERIES OF THE COASTAL WATERS OF FLORIDA. 



admitted, however, that this provision is not enforced. According to 

 this law the size of a sponge is determined by taking its diameter, 

 measuring across the top of the sponge, no attention being given to 

 the height. Some dealers think that the minimum size should be 

 increased to 5 inches, and all are in favor of enforcing the law. 



VELVET SPOXGE. 



This species is more limited in its distribution than the sheepswool, 

 is more rare than any of the other commercial sponges, and seems to be 

 decreasing more rapidly than any other. It is found rarely, if at all, 

 on the Book Island or Anclote grounds, but seems to be confined to the 

 vicinity of the reef and the keys between Key West and Biscayne Bay. 

 The best beds are said to lie about the Matecumbe Keys and between 

 the reef and the chain of keys in what is known as the Hawks Chan- 

 nel. It usually grows on live coral bottom, in rather shallow water. 

 The depths given by different persons vary from 3 to 25 feet, with 15 to 

 18 feet as the usual depth. It is said to grow in all sorts of shapes, 

 and is consequently less regular or uniform than other species. In 

 size it runs from 3 to 12 inches in diameter, the average being about 8 

 inches. It probably grows less rapidly than the sheepswool, though 

 some of the spongers say that it will reach a commercial size in a year- 



VELLOW SPONGE. 



The distribution of the yellow sponge seems to be nearly the same as 

 that of the sheepswool. It grows on the same bottom with the sheeps- 

 wool and grass sponges on the Bock Island and Anclote grounds and 

 among the keys. It is probably most abundant among the keys. All 

 agree, however, that those from the keys are of much better quality 

 than those from "down the bay," as they are much softer and tougher. 

 It is found usually on rock bottom, interspersed among the sheepswool, 

 though it often grows on grassy bottom with the grass sponge. 



Among the keys it is found in 3 to 10 feet of water, while elsewhere it 

 usually occurs at greater depths. In size those gathered range from 

 about 4 to 8 inches in diameter. It is a very common species, ranking 

 next in abundance to the grass sponge. 



Among the keys it is said to be decreasing very rapidly, but, owing 

 to the poorer quality of those found down the bay, it is not much sought 

 after there, and is probably not decreasing so rapidly. 



GRASS SPONGE. 



This is the most abundant of all the Florida sponges, and is found on 

 each of the three important sponging-grounds. Large numbers come 

 from Bock Island and the Anclote grounds, as well as from among the 

 keys and Biscayne Bay. The best beds on the Anclote grounds are said 

 to be off Bayport and Big Bank, about 25 or 30 miles north of Tarpon 

 Springs. The sponges from these grounds are of superior quality, 

 though many claim that the best grass sponges come from the keys. 



