3° 



REPORT 



UPON THE 



SPONGES OF THE BAHAMA ISLANDS. 



By W. Saville Kent, F.L.S., F.Z.S. 



Visitors to the International Fisheries Exhibition cannot 

 fail, on entering the Western Corridor, to be struck with 

 the brilliant assemblage of the ocean's treasures that repre- 

 sent the fishing industries of the Bahama Islands. The 

 highly artistic manner in which the specimens are grouped, 

 together with the diversity and completeness of the collec- 

 tion exhibited, reflect the highest possible credit upon 

 those to whom the public is indebted for the unique treat 

 afforded by an inspection of this small but important 

 section. Gorgonias, or flexible corals, of every hue — 

 some forming erect fan-shaped expansions, and others 

 gracefully drooping willowy growths — are commingled in 

 admirable harmony with the more remarkable sponges, 

 madrepores, or stony corals, and sea-shells — having a com- 

 mercial value — that are indigenous to the coasts of this 

 ocean paradise. In an adjoining case will be found in- 

 teresting illustrations of economic uses to which certain of 

 this raw material may be converted by the aid of art. 

 Especially worthy of note in this connection are the superb 

 cameos cut from the various species of helmet or conch 



