WONDERS OF THE DEEP 71 



kinds. The bath sponge — the fine, large lamb's wool 

 or honeycomb sponge — is found in certain localities. 

 This is very valuable and finds a ready market. 

 Other kinds of sponge include the reef, the boat, the 

 velvet, the yellow, the hard head, the grass, and the 

 common or glove sponge. With the exception of the 

 velvet sponge, none of these kinds is of much value 

 from a commercial point of view. Some of the 

 coarser kinds of sponge find their way into the 

 stables. 



Very seldom are new sponge grounds searched 

 for. Sponge fishermen seem to prefer the old and 

 familiar beds, and consequently these, after a time, 

 become worked out. Undoubtedly, in these waters 

 may be discovered vast new sponging beds, which 

 may prove to be valuable sources of future wealth 

 to the islands. 



Most people are under the impression that the use 

 of sponges is confined to toilet and surgical purposes. 

 This, however, is far from being the case. Many 

 of the coarser qualities are gradually being utilised 

 in other ways. In America, for instance, sponges 

 have been ised for stuffing beds and furniture. 

 Probably, in the near future, the cheaper kinds of 

 sponge will be utilised for a variety of purposes little 

 dreamt of now. 



