22 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
Mr. A. D. Frye, of Bellmore, Long Island, writes me under date of 
March 27, 1887, as follows: “Two years since I applied to you for some 
brown trout to stock a public stream, called Newbridge Creek, at this 
place, and you furnished them. I have by inquiry learned that last 
summer some of these fish were taken which weighed three-quarters of 
a pound.” 
According to this, these fish could not have been more than one and 
a half years old ; and from my experience I think that the brown trout, 
as it is called in England, and which is the common brook trout of 
Europe ( Salmo fario) is a quick-growing fish, which is destined to be- 
come a favorite in America when it is thoroughly known. I have taken 
this fish with a fly, and consider it one of the gamiest, in fact, the gamiest, 
trout that I ever handled with a rod. I will state, however, that angling 
friends who have had more extended experience in European fishing 
than I have say that the Loch Leven trout is a gamier and better fish 
than the brown trout, but I have had no experience with the Loch Leven 
fish further than to hatch it. I believe that the brown trout will be 
found to be a better fish, taking it all around, than our own native fon- 
tincilis. The reasons for this belief are: (1) It is of quicker growth; (2) 
it is gamier; (3) except in the breeding season, when the males of fon- 
tinalis are brilliantly colored, it it fully as handsome; (4) from what I 
can learn I incline to think it will bear water several degrees warmer 
than fontinalis , and therefore it is adapted to a wider range. 
Cold Spring Harbor, N. Y., April 20, 1887. 
S.-THE FISHERIES OF FLORIDA. 
By S. G. EIJ^E. 
These fisheries give employment to the owners and crews of over 
three hundred vessels of from 5 to 50 tons burden. They are car- 
ried on with some risk from the weather, and at times with much hard- 
ship. Each vessel is fitted out for a trip of about four to eight weeks, 
carrying from two to five dinghies and a crew of five to twelve men ; 
and makes two trips a year, usually in spring and winter, the latter 
being the best catch. The position of the sponge as it grows on the 
bottom is ascertained by means of the water-glass, which is a simple 
bucket with a glass bottom in it, through which when placed in the water 
one cgn readily make out articles at the depth of several fathoms. 
The Florida sponges are chiefly of four sorts : Sheepswool, velvet, 
reef, and glove. The sheepswool is the most valuable. It requires 
about five to six years for a sponge to grow to 8 inches in diameter, 
and about three years to make 6 inches. The warmer the winter 
(which makes the water warmer) the faster they grow. The fishermen 
soon learn by experience to distinguish the grades before taking them. 
