velvet, dark reef, boat, hardhead, grass, yellow, and glove ; 

 and of some of these varieties there are several grades, 

 designated by numbers, all being used for mechanical, 

 surgical, and bathing purposes, Bahama and Florida 

 sponges are about equal in texture and value, but both 

 are inferior to those of the Mediterranean. The vessels 

 employed in sponging are small, with crews of from six 

 to twelve men. About six weeks' provisions are taken on 

 board, and they then coast along the banks and reefs, 

 where the water is shallow and generally so clear that the 

 sponges are readily seen, and are brought to the surface by 

 hooked poles, or sometimes by diving. When first brought 

 up they are covered with a soft gelatinous substance as 

 black as tar, and full of organic life, the sponge as we 

 know being only the skeleton of the organism. The day's 

 catch is spread out on the deck so as to kill the mass of 

 animal life, which in dying emits a most unpleasant smell. 

 Then the spongers go ashore and build a pen or " crawl " 

 of stakes close to the water's edge, so that the action of 

 the tide may wash away the black covering, in which it is 

 aided by pounding the sponges with sticks. When this 

 operation is completed, the sponges are strung upon small 

 palmetto strips, three or four to a strip, which is called 

 " a bead," when they are taken to Nassau to be sold in the 

 sponge-market under certain conditions and regulations, 

 nobody being allowed to sell his cargo otherwise than 

 through this sponge exchange. On the conclusion of the 

 sale the sponges are taken to the packing-yard, where they 

 are sorted, clipped, soaked in tubs of lime-water, and spread 

 out to dry in the sun. They are then pressed by machinery 

 into bales, containing lOO lbs., and in this state are shipped 

 to England or the United States, which of late years is 

 almost the largest customer for Bahama sponges. The 



