A PRACTICAL METHOD OF SPONGE CULTURE. 581 
years, and it is probable that one not knowing their history would be unable 
to distinguish them from those grown from indigenous seed. The close-set 
bristles which cover the surface of wire-grown sponges at Anclote have been 
replaced by flat brushes of fiber, the oscula, formerly inconspicuous, have 
become larger and resident on the summits of short tubular processes, the 
general texture of the sponge is more open, and, finally, the fibers have become 
thoroughly charged with the characteristic red color of the Key sponges. In 
some specimens the red coloration is more pronounced than is normal in the 
locality to which the sponges have been transplanted. 
At Anclote, also, it was observed that whatever the source of the seed 
there was a strong tendency of the plants to advert to a common type, though 
there appeared to be a tendency to compromise between the influences of 
heredity and environment. Deep-water sponges a year after the cuttings were 
planted assumed the bristly appearance above referred to, but the processes 
were shorter and blunter than in sponges grown from shoal-water seed. The 
texture of the skeleton was also closer and more dense than in the cuttings of 
shoal-water origin, but neither resembled very closely the sponges from which 
they were derived. With these facts in view, it is almost certain that Florida 
sponges transplanted to the California coast, or Mediterranean specimens car- 
ried to the waters of Florida, will not retain their original characters, but it 
does not follow that they will be inferior. It is even possible that with judi- 
cious selection localities may be found where the transplanted products may 
prove superior to their fellows at home, though it is true that one can hardly 
expect to improve on the quality of the fine sponges of the Mediterranean. 
ECONOMIC APPLICATION OF THE METHOD. 
ESSENTIAL CONSIDERATIONS. 
The choice of a locality for commercial sponge culture is a highly important 
consideration. In the first place, it must be one that can be guarded, for what- 
ever the law may be it can not enforce itself, as has been amply demonstrated 
by the history of the oyster industry and some of my own experience in sponge 
culture. For this reason the small planter will have to select his location near 
shore, where he can live and himself guard his property, and this practically 
restricts the choice for such persons to the region of the keys. The large planter, 
employing a number of persons, can afford to station a guard boat on his planta- 
tion, and can therefore carry on his operations farther from shore and on the 
high seas. 
Selection also must be made of a locality not subject to the effects of 
freshets and heavy rainfall on the adjacent mainland, and for this reason the 
