Table 9» — Average number of demerits characteristic of each 

 grade of Mediterranean Bengasi sponge 





Average demerits 



Demerits recom- 



Recommended mid- 



Grade 



found by grading 



mended to be taken 



point to next 







as characteristic 



lower grade 





Number 



Number 



Number 



Forms 









No. 1 



277 



280 



380 



No. 2 



U75 



U80 



tt 



No. 3 



6U2 



630 



665 



No. h 



680 



700 



735 



Cuts 









No. 1 



$h3 



51*0 



615 



No. 2 



685 



690 



735 



No. 3 



728 



780 



835 



Mediterranear 



l Deepwater 







Table 10 gives the average number of demerits characteristic of 

 each grade of Mediterranean Deepwater sponge. This sponge was similar 

 in most properties to the Bengasi Mediterranean sponge. The Deep- 

 water sponge held less water, however, and was much softer when wet. 

 It therefore released more water and was easier to clean. It was less 

 elastic and regained its shape more slowly, and had a weaker inside 

 structure because of greater porosity. 



Cuban Sheepswool 



The Cuban Sheepswool or Sea Wool sponges inspected were a mix- 

 ture of Cuts, and no Forms were present. In fact, most of the samples 

 were too tall to be classified as forms. Only one No. h Cut, however, 

 was in the lot, and most of the samples were No. 2. Cuts. The samples 

 gave off some odor, were low in outside webbing, and had many small 

 holes. Recommendations as to the number of demerits were influenced 

 by the numbers assigned to the Mediterranean sponges, which the Cuban 

 Sheepswool sponge resembles. Except for No. 2 Cuts, which were avail- 

 able for inspection in quantity, the numbers of demerits shown in 

 table 11 is tentative, since they require the inspection of larger 

 samples for confirmation. 



33 



