332 THE GREAT BARRIER REEF. 



obtained from the Mediterranean, and a third variety of the same specific form, corresponding more 

 nearly with the so-called " glove-sponge " of the Bahama seas. The remaining three samples are 

 apparently referable to the more porous batli-sponges, represented by the genus Hippospongia, in 

 all respects identical with the Mediterranean Hippospongia equina, H. equina, var. meandrinwforniis, 

 and H. gossypina. 



The neighbourhoods of the Claremont and Piper lightships have been mentioned in a 

 preceding chapter, as localities whence fine-textured sponges have been gathered ; but there is 

 hardly a coral-island beach throughout the Barrier district from which they may not be collected 

 in an eroded, washed-up, state, indicating the existence of their natural beds in the near vicinity. In 

 this cast-up condition, the fibre of the sponges is usuall}' much weathered and decayed, and very 

 rarely sufficiently well preserved for domestic use. Sponges, for trade purposes, must be gathered 

 fresh, and be systematicall}' treated. The method most commonly employed is to place them in 

 bulk in a small staked-in inclosure, called a " crawl," on a spot of the seashore, where, while sub- 

 merged and washed by the waves with each returning tide, they may be at low water exposed 

 to atmospheric influence. During these latter intervals they are likewise beaten with sticks, in 

 order to get rid of their glairy animal matter. When this is completely eliminated they are finally 

 washed in clean water, to which a little glycerine is added. This precaution prevents the sponge 

 fibre from getting hard and brittle, as it is especially liable to do in a tropical climate. 



Successful experiments have been carried out within recent years, in the direction of trans- 

 planting and cultivating sponges in both the Mediterranean and Florida sponge-producing areas ; 

 and there is no reason wh}' a similar profitable industry should not be established in numerous 

 suitable localities within the Barrier limits. The special advantage of the transplanting and 

 cultivating method is, that unshapely and unmarketable sponges, if of the right texture, may be cut 

 up alive into fragments, and each fragment when replanted, will grow in the course of a year or 

 two into a symmetrical marketable sponge. On the author's suggestion, sponges have been 

 specially included in the list of marine products for which, in accordance with the new Pearl-shell 

 and Beche-de-mer Fishery Act, 1891, portions of the foreshore and other water areas can now be 

 let on lease by the Queensland Government. 



Sponges of a somewhat coarse and inferior description, compared with the species above 

 enumerated, also abound throughout the Barrier district. Many of these could be turned to 

 profitable commercial account at the present day ; one of the latest purposes for which similarly 

 coarse sponges are extensively employed being — in a finely shredded state — as a substitute 

 for horsehair, in stuffing furniture. 



The valuable potentiality represented by the black coral, Antipathes abics, illustrated by 

 Chromo plate XI., Fig. 2, has been already briefly referred to in the coral-descriptive chapter. 

 The species grows abundantly, and to a considerable height and thickness, throughout the 

 inter-tropical Barrier waters ; and in consideration of the declining condition of the 



