56 



sponge, and from whence germs or embryos would be 

 constantly liberated and distributed throughout the adjacent 

 waters. 



In the writer's opinion, the precious coral of commerce 

 {Coralliimt rubrum), and probably also the pearl oyster 

 {Meleagrina margaritiferd) , if not already existing, though 

 yet undiscovered, in the adjacent waters, might be artifi- 

 cially introduced and successfully cultivated in the Bahama 

 Islands under conditions closely analogous to those here 

 suggested with reference to Mediterranean sponges. 



The subject is, at the least, well worthy the attention of 

 those interested in the further development of the fishing 

 industries of the Bahama seas. 



LONDON: PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, LIMITED, STAMFORD STREET 



AND CHARING CROSS. 



