AND THE ARTIFICIAL CULTURE OF SPONGES. 191 



cultivation. Unfortunately, however, up to the present time, the 

 matter does not appear to have been carried beyond a very elementary 

 experimental stage. 



Sponge Culture Experiments. — The statement that detached 

 sponges were capable of fixing themselves and continuing their 

 growth, was first recorded in 1785 by Filippo Cavoliui, his account 

 being based upon experiments carried out in the Bay of Naples. It 

 was not, however, until the year 1862 that attention was drawn by 

 Professor Oscar Schmidt to the fact that portions of a sponge would 

 also fix and grow, and the possibility of its application to the produc- 

 tion of sponges on a commercial scale pointed out. 



Experiments of Buccich. — In consequence of the opinion expressed 

 by Professor Schmidt, " that if a perfectly fresh sponge is cut in suit- 

 able pieces, and if these pieces, properly protected, are again placed in 

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

 a number of experiments were made during 1863-1872, at a station 

 established on the bay of Socolizza, at the north-eastern point of the 

 island of Lesina. This establishment was closed in 1872, on account of 

 the hostility of the native fishermen, who continually interfered with 

 the growing sponges. An account of these experiments has been given 

 by Dr. Emil von ^Marenzeller,* from the original notes of Signer Gregor 

 Buccich, who was in charge of the establishment. The experiments 

 seem to show that for European sponges cuttings, if carefully treated, 

 can be reared successfully until they become of marketable size. Erom 

 the account given, it appears that for making sponge-cuttings the most 

 favourable time is during the winter months, as in cool weather there is 

 less tendency for the sponges to suffer from detachment and exposure 

 to air. The best localities are sheltered bays, with pure sea-water as 

 free as possible from mud. The sponges from which the cuttings are to 

 be made require very careful treatment, and the method finally adopted 

 by Buccich was as follows : The sponges having been obtained either 

 with tongs or a drag-net, and the injured portions, as far as possible, 

 removed, they are fixed by means of wooden pegs to the inner side of 

 a sort of fish-box, which is towed behind the boat. It is better, 

 especially in warm weather, to leave the sponges for a little time in this 

 box, in order to see whether or not putrefaction is likely to take place. 

 "When it has been ascertained that all the sponges are healthy, the 

 cutting and planting are proceeded with. The cutting is done upon a 

 small board, moistened with sea-water, with a knife having a saw-edge, 

 and the pieces are made so as to measure about an inch each way. 



* Die Aufzucht des Badeschwammes aus Theilstiifken. A''erhaiidl. dcr k.k. Zoologisch- 

 botanischen Gesellschaft in Wien. Vienna, 1878. Translated in U.S. Fish Commission 

 Report, 1879; p. 771. 



