186 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



to the settlemeuts on the bay as compared with the keys lying farther 

 south. It is the most conveniently located point in the region from 

 which to visit the sponge grounds within the bay and around the 

 adjacent reefs. As a headquarters for biological investigations of the 

 littoral and pelagic fauna of the section it is well situated. It appears, 

 however, that the construction of salt-water ponds for hatching and 

 experimental purposes would be attended with considerable labor and 

 expense, the only available place for excavation being the saw-palmetto 

 land mentioned. The light-house reservation, which originally had an 

 area of 3 acres, is now much smaller, owing to the encroachment of ttie 

 sea, and, being located on the ocean side of the cape, is not well adapted 

 to fish-cultural work. While a limited tract of laud on the bay side of 

 the cape would x^robably be donated by the present owner, it is not 

 likely that the full amount of land required for buildings, ponds, etc., 

 could be obtained without a monetary consideration. 



Soldier Key, located 4J miles south of Cape Florida, is the property 

 of the Government and was some years ago turned over to the United 

 States Commission of Fish and Fisheries to be used, if suitable, as the 

 headquarters for scientific studies of the fauna of the region. The 

 island has an area of about 2 acres, and is densely wooded with man- 

 grove and other subtropical trees. Good sponge grounds exist around 

 the key, and the Key West sponge fishermen have crawls and an anchor- 

 age at the island. Vessels drawing under 7 feet of water can approach 

 near to the northwestern side by means of a narrow circuitous channel. 



The exposed condition of this key, its small size, the impossibility of 

 constructing ponds, and its isolated situation render it unsuitable as a 

 station site, although it would doubtless serve as a valuable collecting 

 ground and temporary rendezvous for a station located in the vicinity. 



Some years ago Mr. Ealph Munroe, of Cocoanut Grove, was, with 

 other gentlemen of this section, instrumental in having a bill presented 

 to the Florida legislature providing for a protected area of several 

 square miles around Soldier Key for sponge-cultural purposes. Some 

 very objectionable features were added to the bill, however, and its 

 defeat was secured by those who first brought the matter to tlie legis- 

 lature's attention. Enough was developed at that time to lead to the 

 belief on the part of Mr. Munroe and his coworkers that the legislature 

 would willingly sanction the segregation of ample territory for such 

 purposes. The vicinity of Soldier Key wouhl undoubtedly prove an 

 admirable ground for practical experiments in the artificial production 

 of sponges, and the i)roximity to the deeper reefs would permit a wider 

 range of experimentation than would be possible in Biscayne Bay. 



With reference to the availability of the western side of the bay as 

 the site for a station, it may be stated that the construction of salt-water 

 ponds on the mainland is entirely impracticable, owing to the fact that 

 the seepage from the Everglades renders all ponds fresh except when 

 there are high tides. All excavations along the shore quickly become 

 filled with fresh water. The extreme shoalness of the western side of 

 the lower bay is another feature to be considered. 



