10 FISHERIES OF THE COASTAL WATERS OF FLORIDA. 



In the same volume of the Fishery Industries report is given a full 

 account of the very extended experiments which were carried on by Mr. 

 Buccich at the island of Lesina, in the Adriatic Sea, on the coast of 

 Dalmatia. This report contains so much important information that it 

 is proper to give a summary of it here. 



After Prof. O. Schmidt, in an article in the Wiener Zeitung, and in his work on the 

 sponges of the Adriatic, * had expressed the opinion " that if a perfectly fresh sponge 

 is cnt into suitable pieces, and if these pieces, properly protected, are again placed in 

 the sea, they will grow, and finally develop into complete sponges," the government 

 and a number of prominent merchants of Trieste had some experiments made during 

 1863-1872, and established a station on the bay of Socolizza, at the northeastern 

 poiut of the island of Lesina, which in May, 1867, was placed under the direction of 

 Mr. Buccich. This establishment was closed in November, 1872, as its continuance 

 became impossible, because, in spite of Mr. Buccich's oral and written remonstrances, 

 it was continually disturbed by the fishing nets and was actually robbed several 

 times. A species of worm which destroyed the woodwork appeared harmless com- 

 pared to the hostile attitude of the population, which showed an utter want of respect 

 for the property of other persons, and manifested deep-rooted prejudices against any 

 innovations, as well as a reluctance to break with old habits. 



The most favorable season for raising sponges from cuttings is winter. It is true 

 that the growth of the sponge and the new formations on the cut sides goes on slower 

 in winter than in summer, but a high temperature of the air often endangers the 

 entire crop, on account of the tendency of the sponges to rot. In winter a sponge 

 may remain on the dry land for several hours, while in summer it will perisb in a few 

 minutes, especially if it has been injured and if it is not constantly moistened with 

 sea water. Mr. Buccich exposed sponge cuttings to the air in a shady place for eight 

 hours during February, when the temperature of the air was 48° F., and still they 

 all took root. 



The best localities are bays, where the waves are not too strong, but where the 

 surface is not entirely smooth either, with a rocky bottom covered with green alga3 

 and exposed to a gentle current. It is a well-established principle that the mouths 

 of streams and rivers and of subterranean springs should be avoided. The fresh 

 color of the algse is a sure indication that the choice of locality has been fortunate. 

 The worst enemy of sponge-culture is mud. Under certain circumstances it would 

 be well to close the entrance to the bay to vessels by a chain. 



The sponges which are to be cut should be very carefully gathered by experienced 

 persons. * * * The sponges are brought up either with their base — and this is 

 the most favorable way — or they must be torn from the base, which operation fre- 

 quently tends to injure them. * * In gathering sponges for cutting, it is 

 entirely unnecessary to select nice looking specimens, for misshaped pieces which 

 would be worthless in trade are just as good for this purpose as beautifully rounded 

 ones. These latter should not be cut, but should be reserved for the trade. 



Mr. Buccich found that it was not expedient to place the sponges, as they were 

 gradually gathered, into a vessel, to keep them there until they were to be cut, 

 because they were injured by pressing against each other or by being shaken too 

 violently. He therefore provisionally fastens them with wooden pegs to the inner 

 side of a sort of lish box, which is held in tow by the fishing boat. If the sponges 

 are injured, the injured portions should be immediately removed; the remainder 

 is likewise fastened with wooden pegs, either as it is, or subdivided into large 

 pieces. 



When the temperature is low during the cold season, the sponges can be prepared 

 for raising as soon as the place is reached where the process is to be carried on, 



*"Die Spongien des adriatischen Meeres," Leipzig, 1862, p. 22. See also O. Schmidt, 

 " Supplement der Spongien des adriatischen Meeres," Leipzig. 1864, p. 24; and especially 

 Brehm, " Thierh hen," 2d edition, vol. 10, Lower Animals, by O. Schmidt, 1878, p. 534. 



