XXIII. 



THE SPONGE FISHERY AND TRADE, 



By RICHARD RATHBUN. 



a. COMMERCIAL IMPORTANCE OK SPONGES. 



1. General review of the sponge trade. 



b. THE FLORIDA SPONGE KISHKKY. 



2. The sponge grounds. 



3. The sponging vessels and their outfit. 



4. Methods of conducting the sponge fishery. 



5. Origin of the Florida sponge fishery. 



fi. The danger of overfishing: artificial propagation of 

 sponges. 



c. THE BAHAMA SPONGE FISHERY. 



7. The methods of the fishery. 



rf. THK MEDITERRANEAN SPONGE FISHERY. 



8. The methods of the fishery. 



e. THE SPONGE TRADE. 



9. Character and extent of the New York sponge trade. 



10. Origin and growth of the New York sponge trade. 



11. Fraudulent practices. 



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