SPONGES. 141 



Our Bahama experience has secured for the sponge a con- 

 spicuous and pleasant place in our memory. It is no longer 

 what it has been. It has become glorified and hallowed. We 

 look at it with new eyes, and handle it with a feeling of re- 

 spect akin to reverence, for it reflects something of that divine 

 and creative wisdom that caused it to grow, in part at least for 

 man's benefit, upon the white limestone floor over which the 

 clear, Avarm waters of the ocean surrounding the coral islands 

 ceaselessly roll. Perhaps a more tliorough and extensive explor- 

 ation of the beds of the ocean world may bring to light new and 

 valuable additions to the sponge-producing waters. In the sea 

 dredging off the coast of Massachusetts some specimens of Spongi- 

 dffi have been obtained. 



The Bahama sponges differ very much in quality, and conse- 

 fjuently in value. Some are quite small and fine — others large 

 and coarse. Some have a texture so firm that the hardest wring- 

 ing and pulling does not tear them. Others, having the same 

 general appearance, are easily picked to pieces with the thumb 

 and finger. The difference in softness is also very marked. The 

 novice needs to be on his guard, and to exercise much caution 

 in making purchases, for he is not only in great danger of buying 

 a poor and perhaps worthless article, but of imposition in the 

 matter of price. It is never pleasant to feel that we have been 

 imposed upon, but it is mortifying for one boasting of Caucassian 

 Ijlood to be cheated by an ignorant and unlettered negro. 



Sponges are daily offered for sale in the court of the Eoyal 

 Victoria Hotel. They are strung together, a dozen or more upon 

 a string, and most visitors purchase a supply for home use. They 

 are much cheaper than those sold at retail in the States, and 

 when dried and pressed occupy but little room. In the waters 

 surrounding the islands of Abaco, Exuma and Andros the 

 sponges are found in the greatest abundance; and the Abaco 



