sponge and the Sponge Fisheries. 171 



sponge, and is usually managed by two men. There are 

 about 600 men daily engaged in gathering when the 

 weather is fair. Quiet weather and calm sea are always 

 taken advantage of. These dingies, when likely to be 

 called into service, are towed Indian file at the stern of the 

 larger vessel. Each sponger is provided with a " sponge- 

 hook," made of iron, with three prongs, a socket fitting on 

 a pole one and a half inches thick and from 18 to 35 

 feet long ; also a " water-glass," a bucket with a pane of 

 glass fitted in the bottom. This adds to the power of 

 vision by excluding the light from behind, enabling the 

 sponger to penetrate with his eye at least 10 or 15 feet 

 deeper into the water. The sculler propels the boat along 

 very slowly; in the mean time the sponger sits hanging 

 over the side of the dingy with his head at the bucket 

 held by the hand and his eye penetrating the depths b^low, 

 taking in all that passes within his line of vision. As soon 

 as he sees his legitimate prey, he raises his sponge-hook 

 with his right hand, in which he is assisted by the sculler, 

 still keeping his eye at the glass, grapples the sponge, then 

 puts aside the glass and hauls it in. 



Frequently his sight is darkened and view obstructed 

 by the intervention of the monsters of the deep. A huge 

 shark, a sawfish, or perhaps an enormous devil-fish, very 

 often large schools of beautiful fish, " Spanish mackerel," 

 " cavallie," " sailor's choice," " pompeno," pass beneath him 

 in such numbers as to seriously interfere with his occupation. 

 Again, his sight is regaled with lovely coral formations, 

 deep fissures and grottoes, gem-lined within. 



When a dingy load is gathered, the sponges are taken 

 to the vessel, where they are placed roots down, eyes up, 

 until they are dead. This part of the sponge fishing is the 

 most disagreeable, and causes the vessel to be almost 



