SPONGES at 
1 have found the Palm Sponge, ( Fig. 25 ) growing on a shallow bar near 
the entrance of the Narrows, a strait between Hog Island and Athels Island, 
_ near Nassau. 
The Branching Crimson Sponge, ( Fig. 26) I found growing in deep 
water near Allen’s Harbor, a cluster of lonely, uninhabited islands, which lie 
on the Atlantic side of the Bahama bank, east of New Providence, distant some 
thirty miles. Both this species and the Paim Sponge give out a erimson fluid 
upon being handled, which stains the hands to such an extent that it is diffi- 
cult to clean them. This emission may be voluntary, or may result from a 
shrinking of the sponge, which js, however, too slight to be perceptible to or: 
dinary observation. 
The Finger Sponge ( Fig. 27) grows in deep water, thirty feet or more, 
in sheltered places, firmly attached to rocks, usually in more or less branch- 
ing clusters. See lower cut, Fig. 27. 
One of the most beautiful sponges in Bahama waters, is the Purple 
Sponge, (Fig. 28, A.) This usually grows upright. sometimes branching 
but not often in clusters. I haye also found it creeping along stony bottom, 
[t occurs in swifter tide ways than most sponges, and has a very firm attach- 
ment for the rocky base. It is quite generally distributed about the Bahamas 
in suitable places, but is yery abundant in Nassau Harbor. Associated 
with this sponge, often living beneath it or clinging between its branches, | 
have found a species of Brittle Starfish having long, spiny processes and colored 
purple lake, very nearly like the sponge with which it lives, 
