43 



honeycomb sponge, the excurrent orifices or oscula are 

 developed upon the convex upper surface, the incurrent 

 apertures or pores being distributed throughout all the 

 intermediate areas and lower surface of the organism, 



A description of the special sponge species, including 

 those indigenous to the Bahama Islands, which possess a 

 high commercial value, with an account of their mode of 

 collection and preparation, may now be proceeded with. 

 To this it is proposed to add a few suggestions in the 

 direction of yet further improving and developing this 

 important fishery. All of the commercial sponges belong 

 to the Keratose or horny-fibred sponge order, their value 

 for economic purposes depending upon the fineness, close- 

 ness, and elastic qualities of the component fibres of their 

 skeleton. Previous to their discovery upon the American 

 sea-board, and notably in the vicinity of Florida and the 

 Bahama Islands, all the sponges utilised for domestic 

 purposes were obtained from the eastern extremity of the 

 Mediterranean Sea, and from whence, indeed, * up to the 

 present day, all the finest qualities are still derived. Not- 

 withstanding their tendency to vary almost indefinitely 

 in form and texture as a consequence of their external 

 surroundings, three distinct specific or sub-specific Mediter- 

 ranean forms are usually recognised, both by the trade and 

 scientific spongologists, and around which all the other 

 varieties may be conveniently grouped. These three 

 Mediterranean types, as will be presently seen, correspond 

 structurally in a remarkable manner with a similar series 

 that are indigenous to the seas of the Bahamas. The 

 names of these Mediterranean types in the order of their 

 value are, i, the true Turkey cup-sponge [Spongia or 

 Euspojigia officinalis, Linn.) ; 2, the bath, horse, or honey- 

 comb sponge {Spongia equina, Schm.); and 3, the hard or 

 Zimocca sponge {Spongia agaricina, Schm.). 



