i73 
Reports to the Colonial Office. 
Under the heading Oysters we find that the West Indies have an 
oyster in abundance, Ostrea parasitica, Gmelin, which grows on the roots 
of mangrove trees. There is no system of cultivation at present. They 
are much appreciated and find a ready sale. Many other edible mollusca 
occur, including the Mussel (. Mytilus exustus, Linn., the Scallop ( Pecten 
ziyzay, Chemn.), various “ ark ” shells, Area spp. ? and Codakia tiyerina. 
Lobsters, shrimps and crabs are also amongst the marine resources, the 
most abundant lobster being Palimirus ary as, Latr. They and other 
species are caught in fish-pots from amongst the coral. It is pointed out 
that successful cultivation of lobsters might be carried out just as in 
Newfoundland and Canada. 
Sea-eyys. Barbados occupies an almost unique position in having an 
important industry founded on the marine forms of life called sea-urchins, 
or sea-eggs. Its annual value is estimated at nearly £4,000. The roe or 
reproductive organs, are the part used as food. There is unfortunately a 
great decrease in the number of these Echinoderms. The chief species is 
known as Hipponoe esculenta, Leske. They form a staple food for a few 
months along the coast. Before any remedial measures can be adopted, it 
is necessary to know the life-history of this sea-egg. 
Hototliurians , Beche-de-Mer , Trepany , etc. Great numbers of these 
echinoderms occur on the floors of the seas in the "West Indies. The 
species have not been identified, but the Jamaican ones are of the genera 
Holothuria and Sticophus. Experimental shipments of Beche-de-Mer were 
carried out a few years ago at the Caicos Islands with the object of 
supplying the American Chinese with their favourite article of diet. To 
show the importance of this marine animal, the report mentions that the 
annual export value to Queensland is about £23,000. 
Sponges. 
The West Indies and Florida, along with the Mediterranean, are the 
principal sponge producing areas of the world ; but fine bath sponges also 
come from Australia. 
The shores around the Bahamas are the best known sponge grounds in 
the West Indies. They form the greatest industry of that Colony. 
Dredging and diving for them have been prohibited. They are gathered 
by means of two-pronged forks attached to staves 25 feet in length. The 
sponge exchange is at Nassau. The annual value is nearly £100,000. 
The United States Government has undertaken the investigation of the 
Florida sponge grounds with a view to the better development of the 
industry. Successful experiments in the artificial propagation of sponges 
by transplanting and by cuttings have been carried out in the Mediterranean 
and in Florida. 
Amongst other industries mentioned in the report are the whale oil 
industry, still carried out in a small degree around some of the islands of 
the Lesser Antilles. Ambergris is occasionally found on the coasts of the 
Bahama Islands. 
Companies of dolphins are often seen traversing the length of 
Kingston Harbour, but no attempt is ever made to secure them. The 
Manatee is also sometimes caught and the flesh sold, but they breed too 
slowly to become of much economic importance. 
