Feb. 1, 1865.] THE TECHNOLOGIST. 



THE OTTOMAN ARCHIPELAGO. 319 



9. Greece. Of all sponges fished by the inhabitants of these 

 islands, those from Greece in general are considered the most inferior, 

 in consequence of their very irregular forms. Those fished on the 

 north coasts are the best. The fifth category is the worst of all sponges 

 known in these parts for shape and colour. 



It is by no means necessary to suppose that there are spots where 

 nothing but good sponges are found. Even in the Mandruha sponges, 

 which are considered to be the best, there are only about 30 per cent, 

 of this description, while in those from the worst spots, such as Greece, 

 there are sponges as good as at Mandruha, but no more than about 7 or 

 8 per cent. 



The foregoing classification, therefore, is based on the proportion of 

 good sponges, which are usually found amongst those coming from the 

 above-mentioned places. 



Merchants, when they purchase sponges, take into consideration the 

 form, the size, the colour, the quantity of extraneous matters contained 

 in them, such as stone6, sand, or a kind of viscous white substance 

 embodied in the sponges, and which come out of it in proportion of 

 their being more or less washed shortly after they have been fished. 

 All these circumstances increase or decrease the mercantile value of 

 nearly every fishing boat, and render this trade very difficult ; more 

 especially as, with the exception of the Mandruha and Bengazi, which 

 are paid so much a piece, the other sponges are usually sold in a lump, 

 for which a price is fixed upon between the sponge diver and the 

 merchant. 



Lately, however, as the divers experienced that it was not worth 

 their while to introduce sand in the sponges, with a view to make 

 more profits, they begin to offer them for sale without sanding them,, 

 a circumstance which has induced merchants to purchase again sponges. 

 by weight. 



The Bengazi and Mandruha sponges, however, are, and will always; 

 be, sold at so much a piece. 



As a general rule, the sponges, as classed above, are sent to the' 

 following countries : — 



Large-size sponges of first, second, and third categories to Great 

 Britain. 



Small-size sponges of the same categories to France and Italy. 



Sponges of fourth, fifth, and some of the three other categories to 

 Austria. 



The average prices do not always agree with the classification made 

 below, to which different circumstances concur, such as greater demand 

 on one quality, unsuccessful fishery in a particular spot, and many 

 other causes which it would be useless to enumerate. In ] 863, for 

 instance, the common sponges from Bengazi, although inferior in quality 

 to those from Mandruha, were sold 20 piastres more per oke. This 

 circumstance is owing to the Bengazi sponges having been purchased 



