THE SPONGE FISHERY. 833 



experiments on the coast of Florida, that we reproduce here certain portions of it, which have 

 been translated by Mr. Herman Jacobson. 



" After Prof. O. Schmidt, in an article in the Wiener Zeitung, and in his work on the sponges 

 of the Adriatic, * had expressed the opinion ' that if a perfectly fresh sponge is cut into suitable 

 pieces, and if these pieces, properly protected, are again placed in the sea, they will grow, and 

 finally develop into complete sponges,' the government and a number of prominent merchants of 

 Trieste had some experiments made during 1863-1872, and established a station on the bay of Soco- 

 lizza, at the northeastern point of the island of Lesina, which in May, 1867, was placed under the 

 direction of Mr. Buccich. This establishment was closed in November, 1872, as its continuance 

 became impossible, because, in spite of Mr. Buccich's oral and written remonstrances, it was con- 

 tinually disturbed by the fishing-nets and was actually robbed several times. A species of worm 

 which destroyed the wood-work appeared harmless compared to the hostile attitude of the popu- 

 lation, which showed an utter want of respect for the property of other person?, and manifested 

 deep-rooted prejudices against any innovations, as well as a reluctance to break with old habits. 



"The most favorable season for raising sponges from' cuttings is winter. It is true that the 

 growth of the sponge and the new formations on the cut sides goes on slower in winter than in 

 summer, but a high temperature of the air often endangers the entire crop on account of the tend- 

 ency of the sponges to rot. In winter a sponge may remain on the dry land for several hours, 

 while in summer it will perish in a few minutes especially if it has been injured and if it is notcon- 

 stantly moistened with sea water. Mr. Buccich exposed sponge cuttings to the air in a shady 

 place for eight hours during February, when the temperature of the air was 48 F., and still they 

 all took root. 



" The best localities are bays where the waves are not too strong, but where the surface 

 is not entirely smooth either, with a rocky bottom covered with green algae and exposed to a gentle 

 current. It is a well-established principle that the mouths of streams and rivers and of subterra- 

 nean springs should be avoided. The fresh color of the algre is a sure indication that the choice 

 of locality has been fortunate. The worst enemy of sponge culture is mud. Under certain circum- 

 stances it would be well to close the entrance to the bay to vessels by a chain. 



" The sponges which are to be cut should be very carefully gathered by experienced persons. 



* * * The sponges are brought up either with their base and this is the most favorable 

 Wil y or they must be torn from the base, which operation frequently tends to injure them. 



* * * In gathering sponges for cutting it is entirely unnecessary to select nice-looking speci- 

 mens, for misshaped pieces which would be worthless in trade are just as good for this purpose as 

 beautifully rounded ones. These latter should not be cnt, but should be reserved for the trade. 



* * * Mr. Buccich found that it was not expedient to place the sponges, as they were gradu- 

 ally gathered, into a vessel, to keep them there until they were to be cut, because they are easily 

 injured by pressing against each other or by being shaken too violently. He therefore provision- 

 ally fastens them with wooden pegs to the inner side of a sort of fish-box, which is held in tow by 

 the fishing-boat. If the sponges are injured, the injured portions should be immediately removed; 

 the remainder is likewise fastened with wooden pegs, either as it is, or subdivided into large 

 pieces. 



" When the temperature is low during the cold season, the sponges can be prepared for rais- 

 ing as soon as the place is reached where the process is to be carried on, while during the warm 



* " Die ftpongien des adriutisclien Afeercn," Leipzig, 1862, p. 22. See also O. Schmidt, "Supplement der Spongien 

 des adriatischen Metres," Leipzig, 1804, p. 24 : jiud especially, Brelmi, "Thierleben," 2d edition, vol. 10, Lower Animals, 

 by O. Schmidt, 1878, p. 534. 



