COMMERCIAL SPONGES 



743 



Grass Sponges. The grass sponges of commerce comprise a group of several 

 zoological species, and each varies to such an extent with locality that space will 

 not permit an attempt at description. 



The best are the Anclote grass sponges from the west coast of Florida which 

 grow to large size, and for that reason and on account of their hollow wastebasket 



vd'n/teoji U. S. Fish and iVildlife Service) 



Fig. 35-3. A grass sponge containing a large piece of coral in depres- 



shape are generally sold as "cuts." They are dirty brown in color, harsh to the 

 touch, highly elastic and resilient, but will not hold as much water as other grass 

 sponges. They are especially useful where there is much oil, as greasy matter is 

 readily washed out of them. 



The grass sponges from the Florida Keys, Bahama Islands, and Cuba vary in 

 form and general appearance, and are entirely different from those just described. 

 They are softer, more compact in shape, and much weaker in texture. Especially 

 when bleached, some of them make soft, attractive bath sponges, but they have 

 little durability. Though unsatisfactory substitutes for the better grades of sponges, 

 they are useful where softness and absorptiveness rather than wearing qualities 

 are desired. There are some good sponges of this type in the Philippine Islands. 



Glove Sponges. The shape of the glove sponge is almost invariably that of a 

 short, stout column, with the sides fluted with irregular vertical ridges between 

 which are 1 or 2 rows of round holes about Js inch, more or less, in diameter. 

 These ridges are frequently swollen at their free margins, and they always bear 



