* 
410 BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF FISHERIES. 
sponges have fine meshes, slender fibers, and generally close texture. Large 
canals and cavities decrease the amount of water which can be absorbed in 
proportion to the size of the sponge, though they do not necessarily affect the 
rapidity with which it is imbibed. 
Ill. THE COMMERCIAL VARIETIES OF SPONGES. 
Both the scientific and commercial classifications of economic sponges are 
much confused and unsatisfactory and the two are mutually contradictory. 
Sponges considered by zoologists as of the same species or variety are separated 
into different commercial grades or species often differing widely in value, and, 
conversely, the trade often recognizes under the same name species that are 
undoubtedly zoologically distinct. These animals are so extremely plastic and 
susceptible to the influences of local environment, changing form, appearance, 
and character so completely under changing conditions, that it appears hopeless 
to expect a satisfactory scientific arrangement until present methods of research 
and nomenclature are completely departed from. In the present paper, 
designed as it is for economic purposes, the commercial classification is followed, 
the probable scientific names of the sponges described being indicated but 
incidentally. 
In the following list are given the names commonly used in several lan- 
guages, but the commercial classification is much more complex than is here 
indicated. All of the principal kinds are further subdivided in the markets 
according to geographical origin, quality, and even the methods by which they 
are taken. Among American sponges, in addition to the various geographical 
and local designations we have “forms,” ‘cuts,’ and ‘‘seconds,”’ while in the 
Mediterranean there are ‘‘fines,’’ ‘‘commons,”’ ‘‘seconds’’ (écarts), plongées, 
harpoonées, etc. 
Common NAMES OF COMMERCIAL SPONGES IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES. 
English. French. Cuban. | German. 
Hembra. 
cate .| Macho fino, 
=e Farao; aforrada. 
<< / Macho cueva. 
ees a ee eee oe Macho peludo. 
ae eas Se Se es ee as ee a Macho dulce; macho 
| guante. 
Reef; ‘‘West India surgeon’s’’.____| I'ine Antille_..._..-.---| Macho dulce. 
Hardhead; American zimocea- ---_- || Hine Gres. .o-225-5--5= Machito fino. 
Turkey cup; Turkey solid_--------- Coupe turque; fine douce Feiner Levantiner- 
de Syrie; de Archipel. schwamm. 
Tollet. ae soa ee Fine douce de Adriatic___ Levantinerschwamm. 
ZAMOCCAS | ooo Len a ee ae CBimoiusse; fine dure: de"'|i=*> =--—2 == 2 ee eee Zimokkaschwamm. 
Syrie; fine Grecque. 
Bath; honeycomb; horse; Vene- | Fine de ‘Syrie; fine |---.---~--= 22 22 2225225 | Badeschwamm. 
tian, etc. blonde; commun de | 
l’Archipel, ete. 
Elephant ear; wash rag; laparot- | Oreille d’elephant.__ =. =.-|_--------.--_.-----__-__- Ohrenschwamm; Mund- 
omy; flat potter's. - schwamm; Levantiner- 
lappen. 
