19 



" Its stored drinking water is ample in supply, and healthful. 

 " It is quite free from malarious and other endemic diseases." 



******* 



The fisherman's calling is ever an anxious and an arduous 

 one, and in the Bahamas, the maritime population is 

 subjected to great physical exertion, and prolonged absence 

 from home. I am given to understand, the vessels in which 

 they ship are poorly fitted and overmanned ; if this is the 

 case, legislation should remedy the evil. Life-preserving 

 apparatus should be made an absolute necessity in an 

 outfit, and heavy penalty incurred through any default. 



The marine products of the Bahamas are undoubtedly 

 susceptible of very important expansion, and I make the 

 following practical suggestions to that end : — 



On the subject of the Sponge Fisheries, I have fortified 

 my opinion by the important Paper herewith attached, 

 written by Mr. Savile Kent, F.L.S., F.Z.S., an autho- 

 rity on this special subject. I am of opinion that a 

 close season for sponges would not be practical or 

 beneficial, the most favourable, if not exclusive season 

 for their collection being the summer months, which is 

 likewise the time during which they usually reproduce 

 their species. 



On the other hand, a very great advantage would be 

 derived from the periodical isolation and protection of 

 suitable areas upon the sponge grounds, to enable them to 

 recover from the effects of over-fishing; or to form as it 

 were a nursery from whence the sponge germs would be 

 freely distributed throughout the surrounding districts. 



I suggest experiments with the object of introducing into 

 your waters the fine concave, or cup-like form of sponge 

 {Spongia officinalis) of the East, provided it is not already 



c 2 



