export has been gradually increasing, for whereas in 1874 

 it only represented ;^i 6,000, in 188 1 it amounted to ;^3 1,000, 

 and the year before to ;^ 3 5,000. A new sponge-field was 

 discovered last year at the Island of Eleuthera, 60 miles 

 from Nassau, extending over an area of many miles, and 

 yielding the sheep-wool, the most valuable quality. Not- 

 withstanding this fact, there have been two drawbacks to 

 working this field, one being, though the sponges are of 

 a very large size, they are exceedingly tender in the inner 

 portions, and will not cut to advantage ; the other, that at 

 certain times of the year myriads of small fish, known as 

 " sailors," arrive at the field and stir up the muddy bottom 

 to such an extent that not a single sponge can be 

 seen. 



The sheep-wool sponge brings quite as high a price in 

 markets as the Turkish variety of same. The success 

 which is said to have been attained in the artificial propa- 

 gation of the sponge by Professor Oscar Schmidt, of the 

 University of Gratz, may lead to great development of this 

 industry in the Bahamas. To the late Sir John Lees, 

 father of the present popular Governor, the people owe a 

 debt of gratitude for the discovery of the sponge. 



Salt is made in large quantities by solar evaporation, 

 and is much esteemed in America for packing purposes for 

 pork and beef. 



In consequence of the number of islands, harbours are 

 easily made during heavy wea:ther, and sad cases of dis- 

 tress are of rare occurrence. 



Several friendly societies exist for mutual aid in time of 

 sickness. 



Mr. R. Davey, in his agreeable account of a visit paid to 

 the Bahamas in 1878, thus describes his first impression of 

 Nassau : — 



