160D Bahamas. 



is called ' a bead,' when they are taken to Nassau to be sold in the sponge-market under 

 certain conditions and regulations, nobody being allowed to sell his cargo otherwise than 

 through this sponge exchange. On the conclusion of the sale the sponges are taken to the 

 packing-yard, where they are sorted, clipped, soaked in tubs of lime-water, and spread out to 

 dry in the sun. They are then pressed by machinery into bales, containing 100 Ibs., and in 

 this state are shipped to England or the United States, which of late years is almost the 

 largest customer for Bahama sponges. The export has been gradually increasing, for whereas 

 in 1874 it only represented $76,500, last year it amounted to $150,000, and the year before to 

 $168,000. A new sponge-field was discovered last year at the island of Eleutheia, sixty miles 

 from Nassau, extending over an area of many miles, and yielding the sheep-wool, the most 

 valuable quality. Notwithstanding this fact, there have been two drawbacks to working this 

 field, one being, though the sponges are of a very large size, they are exceedingly tender in 

 the inner portions, and will not cut to advantage ; the other, that at certain times of the year 

 myriads of small fish, known as * sailors,' arrive at the field and stir up the muddy bottom to 

 such an extent that not a single sponge can be seen." 



The sheep-wool sponge brings quite as high a price in markets as the Turkish variety of 

 the same. The success which is said to have been attained in the artificial propagation of the 

 sponge by Professor Oscar Schmidt, of the University of Gratz, may lead to great development 

 of this industry in the Bahamas. To the late Sir John Lees, father of the present popular 

 Governor, the people owe a debt of gratitude for the discovery of the sponge. 



In consequence of the number of Islands, harbours are easily made during heavy weather, 

 and sad cases of distress are of rare occurrence. 



Several friendly societies exist for mutual aid in time of sickness. 



AUGUSTUS J. ADDERLEY. 



DIVISION I. 



CENTRAL COMMITTEE, Nassau. (1) Sponge Staffs, with Hook 

 attached, (a) Used in obtaining large sponge. (&) Used in obtaining smaller sponge. (2) 

 Four Staffs with Harpoon attached, used in turtle-fishing. (3) Grapnel, with Line attached, 

 for hooking up turtle in deep water. (4) Two Specimens of Water Glasses. (5) Segment of 

 a Turtle Net. (6) Segment of a Fish Net. (7) Fish Scoop. (8) Card containing specimens 

 of Hooks and Lines used in deep-sea fishing. (9) Fish Pot. 



DIVISION IV. 



CENTRAL COMMITTEE, Nassau. Models of (1) Fishing 

 Smack. (2) Sponging Vessel. 



DIVISION V. 



CENTRAL COMMITTEE, Nassau, Specimens of Eope used 

 by fishing vessels, manufactured from the Palmetto. 



DIVISION XXI. 

 CENTRAL COMMITTEE, Nassau. Pair of Palmetto Shoes. 



DIVISION XXVI. 



CENTRAL COMMITTEE, Nassau. (1) Two Kegs of Pickled 

 Goggle-eyes. (2) Keg of Pickled Jacks. (3) Case of Dried Bonefish Mullets, Conch. (4) 

 A Barrel of Beche-de-Mer. 



ANDERSON, ABBOTT, AND ANDERSON 



Are the Largest Manufacturers of 



WATERPROOF GARMENTS 



IN THE WORLD. 



87, QUEEN VICTORIA ST., LONDON, E.G. WORKS: LIMKHOUSE, B. 



