NOTES ON THE FLORIDA SPONGE FISHERY. 
151 
Notwithstanding the large yield of sheepswool sponges in 1899, that species 
represented only 50 per cent of the catch, against 63 per cent in 1896 and 75 per cent 
in 1895. The yellow and grass sponges, which in 1895 constituted only 16J per cent of 
the aggregate crop, in 1899 amounted to 44 per cent. While exceptional seasons like 
1899 may give a temporary upward trend to the sheepswool production, there are no 
reasons for believing that the general downward tendency will not continue, and that 
the cheaper grades of sponges will not enter more largely into the catch. 
The following table shows the relative importance of the different kinds of 
sponges, the figures being the percentages of the total quantity and value of the crop 
for a series of years : 
Kinds. 
1R95. 
1896. 
1897. 
1899. 
Pounds. 
Value. 
Pounds. 
Value. 
Pounds. 
V alue. 
Pounds. 
Value. 
Sheepswool 
75. 55 
93.86 
63. 36 
90. 91 
47. 50 
84. 11 
50. 49 
90. 34 
Yellow 
9. 64 
3. 05 
10. 01 
3.41 
9. 77 
4. 57 
18.33 
4. 41 
Grass 
6.99 
1. 41 
18.88 
4. 22 
38. 79 
10. 21 
25. 26 
3. 89 
Others 
7. 82 
1. 68 
7. 75 
1. 46 
3. 94 
1. 11 
5. 92 
1. 36 
Total 
100. 00 
100. 00 
100. 00 
100. 00 
100. 00 
100. 00 
100. 00 
100. 00 
