58 SEALS. 



All of the several varieties of soft "sponges found in the Philippines 

 are of more or less coramercial value. In addition to these, an almost 

 unlimited variety of silicious sponges is encountered; the fiber of these 

 is now being used in some countries as a substitute for asbestos. 



PHILIPPINE SPONGES OF COMMEKCIAL VALUE. 

 THE SHEEP'S-WOOL SPONGE (PLATE II). 



The sheep's-wool sponge is the most valuable variety found in the 

 Philippines. It has a strong, elastic fiber, resembling in every respect 

 the well-known sheep's-wool or bath sponge of Florida and it probably 

 grows to about the same size. The only place where this sponge at 

 present is known to occur in the Philippines is at Siasi, but doubtless 

 it will also be found around Tawi-Tawi. It would be to the advantage 

 of those interested in sponging to give particular attention to the finding 

 and developing of these sponges, as they are well-known to the trade, 

 are always in demand, and the supply is becoming limited. There 

 would be no difficulty in marketing any quantity in the United States 

 or Europe where the product would bring from 8 to 20 pesos (4 to 

 10 dollars. United States currency) per kilo in wholesale lots. The 

 specimen figured is of second grade and the price quoted by the largest 

 New York dealer was ten pesos per kilo. 



THE PHILIPPINE ZOMOCCA SPONGE (PLATE III). 



This is a very tough, elastic sponge of moderately coarse fiber, usually 

 rather flat in shape. The organisms grow in shallow water of 1.2 to 2 

 meters' depth, on a hard rock bottom. Specimens 30 centimeters in 

 diameter are frequently found. This sponge seems to be intermediate 

 in grade between the sheep's-wool and grass sponges ; some of the dealers 

 classing it with the former and others with the latter. All admit it to 

 be different from any of the American forms. Dr. Moore considered it 

 to be the best among those submitted to him and suggested the name 

 "fiat bath sponge" for it. However, a comparison with a large number 

 of European sponges on the market induced me to follow the suggestion 

 of one of the sponge dealers and term it the Philippine Zomocca sponge 

 because it most nearly resembles the well-known commercial form, the 

 European "Zomocca." 



This sponge is found in considerable numbers in the waters around 

 Tawi-Tawi and the nearby islands; in deeper water, it will be of better 

 quality. In all probability it occurs near other islands of the Archipelago. 



The Philippine Zomocea sponge ^^'ould find a ready market both in the 

 United States and in Europe, the wholesale price quoted being from two 

 to six pesos per kilo. 



