INDEX. 



Bahamas, the, area of, and number of the islands, &c., 3 

 ,, described by Christopher Columbus, 9 



,, extracts from the account of a visit to the islands by Richard Davey 



in 1878, 7, 9, II, 16 

 , , important results likely to arise from a scientific investigation of the 



fisheries, 25, 27 

 ,, literature relating to the colony, 9, 10 



,, names of the principal varieties of fish caught in the waters, 4 



,, population and formation of the islands, 3 



,, probability of other and more valuable kinds of coral being found 



than are at present obtained, 27 

 ,, steam communication with Ne<v York and Florida most important 



for the development of the trade of the colony, 28 

 ,, varieties of woods, fruit, animals, &c., produced in the colony, 3, 4 



Bcche-de-mer, general description of the, and mode of preparation for the 

 market, 31 

 ,, importance of increased means for export of the, 22 



Boats, number employed in the fisheries, 4 



Coral, largely collected and readily sold, 5 



,, probability of more valuable kinds existing in the Bahamas than are 

 at present obtained, 27 



Exports, estimated value of turtle, 5 



,, great value of sponges exported in 1882-1883, 5, 7 

 ,, value of shells and pearls exported, 5 



Fish, estimated value per annum of the home consumption, and of turtle ex- 

 ported, 5 

 ,, names of some of the most important, and mode of fishing usually 

 adopted, 4, 5 

 Fish-curing, suggestions on, 21 



Fisheries, important results likely to arise by the appointment of a Commissioner 

 to investigate the fisheries of the islands, 25, 27 

 ,, suggested improvements in the mode of collecting sponges, 19, 20 

 ,, the sponge trade, 5, 7 

 Fishermen, importance of encouraging fishermen to preserve zoological speci- 

 mens, 28 

 J, number employed on the fishing boats, 4 



