CHAPTER VIII. 



SPONGE FISHING. 



Practically everybody is fafiiiliar with the common 

 sponge, as there are few families or individuals, living 

 in civilised countries, who do not use it on various 

 occasions. So very useful has this ordinary every- 

 day article become that we should experience no little 

 inconvenience if for any reason we were unable to 

 obtain it. What would the surgeon, for example, do 

 without it when he is performing an operation .'' 

 What would the housekeeper do? How much less 

 should we enjoy our bath if the sponge were not 

 available ! And yet, despite the fact that a sponge is 

 to be found in almost every household, how many 

 people know what a sponge really is? 



It has become so much an article of everyday use 

 that we never trouble to ask ourselves concerning its 

 origin, its pedigree, or its home. If you were to ask 

 anyone this question: "What is a sponge?" you 

 would be met with a blank look of amazement, be- 

 cause very few people have ever read anything about 

 the sponge. Some would probably be able to state 

 that sponges are obtained from the bed of the sea or 

 ocean, and their knowledge would, no doubt, be 

 limited to that single fact. 



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