442 



THE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE 



SHEEPSWOOL SPONGE, 35 MONTHS OED 



Grown on spindles in Cape Florida Channel from a cutting. Weight, dry and thoroughly 

 cleaned, i 1/3 ounces. Three-fourths natural size (see page 440) 



the business is doomed to early extinc- 

 tion. 



The bureau in one season's work 

 has practically, though not conclusively, 

 shown a method by which the pearl mus- 

 sels can be propagated, and is demon- 

 strating that the work can be carried on 

 at a comparatively small expense in con- 

 nection with the already established 

 operations in rescuing fishes from the 

 overflowed lands, the fish reclaimed 

 being employed, without injury to them- 



selves, in the dissemination of the larvae 

 of the mussels. 



There have been liberated 25,000 fish, 

 bearing about 25,000,000 young mussels 

 ready to drop and begin their independent 

 existence and already past the stage when 

 they are most subject to fatality. 



The work is also capable of applica- 

 tion to waters under private control and 

 will probably become a source of respect- 

 able revenue to farmers and others whose 

 property embraces streams, ponds, and 



