1883. ] Zoology. 201 
to improve sponge culture in the Adriatic, from which the follow- 
ing is condensed :—Professor O. Schmidt expressed a conviction 
that if a perfectly fresh sponge were cut into suitable pieces, and 
these were again placed in the sea, they would grow, and in time 
bécome perfect sponges. This was put to the test by an experi- 
ment conducted in the Bay Socolizza, commenced in 1863, and 
concludedsin 1872. Though success was rendered impossible by 
the determined opposition of the local populace, it did not prevent 
the accumulation of a mass of valuable information. The most 
suitable season for commencing the propagation is the winter. 
The growth of the sponge, and the healing of the cut surfaces, 
proceed much more slowly in winter than in summer, but a high 
temperature is dangerous, by reason of the great tendency of the 
sponge to undergo rapid putrefaction. As to locality, choice 
should be made of bays sheltered from strong waves and currents ; 
but not quite still; the bottom should be rocky, and clothed with 
living alge ; and there should be a moderate ebb and flow of the 
tide. In all cases, the neighborhood of the mouths of rivers and 
subterranean springs must be avoided. 
The freshness and liveliness of color of the marine alge are 
sure indications of a suitable spot. The worst enemy of sponge 
this is laid upon the support-wood, stone, &c. Cae 
During perfect calm, for at least twenty-four hours, it is pos- 
Tichn® Perfect calm, attached themselves and grow. Thus en- 
ghtened as to the natural habits of the sponge, Buccich prepared 
