34 The Under-Water World 



growths as the " Venus Flower Basket JJ 

 or the "Neptune's Cup" may rise to a 

 height of five feet or more. 



The sponges of commerce are the 

 skeletons of forms which build up a 

 network of horny substance that gives 

 easily to the touch and will stand much 

 rough handling. Such sponges are now 

 farmed in all waters warm enough to 

 permit of their culture, although the 

 best still come from the Levant. The 

 sponge gardeners usually perform their 

 duties clad in their heavy diving cos- 

 tumes. They clip their charges, much as 

 they would clip bushes ashore, and the 

 cuttings are placed on suitable and pro- 

 tected portions of the sea-bed. The 

 shape is carefully guarded, as it may 

 mean all the difference between a couple 

 of shillings and a couple of pounds when 

 it comes to handing the finished article 

 over the counter. The sponges, having 

 been collected, are taken ashore and 



