176 The Commercial Prodttcts of the Sea. 



places this kind of sponge, although coarse, hard, and com- 

 mon wherever else obtained, almost equals the far-famed 

 Turkish sponge in texture, and is very nearly as valuable 

 as the sheep-wool. From the extensive banks to the south- 

 east of Andros Island, a very inferior and coarse velvet 

 sponge is gathered, which is brought in large quantities to 

 market ; being tough and soft, it is much used in stables. 

 It does not realize a high price, but the sponging vessels 

 more than make up for the inferior quality by the im- 

 mense quantity which can easily be obtained. New tracts 

 of sponge are seldom found. Spongers, as a rule, seem 

 to prefer to sponge upon the old, well-known grounds, 

 which, by being frequently searched, are consequently 

 nearly w^orked out. There are unquestionably immense 

 fields of sponge all over the banks that yet remain 

 undiscovered — sources of future wealth which will be 

 opened up in time to those who seek them. Sponge is 

 taken from the bottom of the sea here by means of a hook 

 attached to a long staff. The length of the staff required 

 is usually 25 feet. The best quahties of sponge are found 

 in the deepest water, excepting the fine glove. 



In 1875 great exertion was made to procure the better 

 classes of sponge, viz., wool, reef, velvet, and boat. The 

 demand for these kinds w-as somewhat greater, and the 

 prices ranged higher. It is, however, more and more appa- 

 rent to those who w^atch the lots as they arrive in the 

 market, that the proportion of sponges of suitable size for 

 the trade is decreasing gradually ; and unless new beds are 

 discovered, or the coarser kinds, of which large quantities 

 exist, can be utilized, or the fisheries of Cuba be opened to 

 the Bahamas spongers so as to allow time for the young 

 sponge in the neighbourhood of these islands to attain 

 sufficient growth, a large number of those engaged in the 



