5§4 
Sponges. 
j  Am.  Jour.  Pharm. 
X    December,  1901. 
This  interesting  estimation  of  oxygen  is  left  for  the  moment 
while  so  small  a  matter  as  wrapping  paper  is  looked  after  and  which 
is  brought  before  you  to  illustrate  how  closely  we  sometimes  cling 
to  the  old.  One  pictures  many  drawers  full  of  cut  paper  with 
counter  and  drawers  and  floor  littered  with  smaller  or  larger  pieces 
of  wrapping  paper — an  eyesore  and  a  sore  waste.  Why !  even 
to-day  one  can  see,  in  reality,  on  the  counters  of  some  of  our  finest 
stores,  paper  "  in  the  flat,"  with  huge  shears  lying  near,  with  which 
to  cut  the  size  desired,  and  waste  and  litter  again.  Why  not  rolls 
and  cutters?  Three  sizes — 6,  9,  12  inches  of  white,  and  three  sizes 
— 12,  18,  36  inches  of  Manila,  will  meet  every  want  and  leave  only 
satisfaction  and  comfort.  But  what  a  descent !  From  the  estimation  of 
gases  to — wrapping  paper  !  Yet,  just  such  is  our  calling  and  such 
are  its  demands.  In  and  around  it  one  can  find  interesting  subjects, 
attractive  groupings,  upon  which  the  pencil  can  be  used  with  most 
refreshing  results.  Science  and  art,  manufacture,  dispensing,  test 
and  assay.  Competent  verification,  accurate*  standardization,  com- 
prehensive production  and  scientific  compounding.  A  variety,  but 
a  most  consistent  variety.    All  actually  and  profitably  practised. 
The  dream  of  eighteen  hundred  and  ninety  is  the  realization  ol 
nineteen  hundred  and  one. 
SPONGES  : 
WHERE  THEY  LIVE,  HOW  OBTAINED,  AND  THEIR  USES. 
By  Albert  Hart. 
Sponge  belongs  to  the  animal  kingdom,  and  the  principal  ones 
used  commercially  are  obtained  off  the  coasts  of  Florida  and  the 
West  Indies;  the  higher  grades  are  from  the  Mediterranean  Sea, 
and  are  numerous  in  variety. 
A  sponge  in  its  natural  state  is  a  different  looking  object  from 
what  we  see  in  commerce,  resembling  somewhat  the  appearance  of 
the  jelly-fish,  or  mass  of  liver,  the  entire  surface  being  covered  with 
a  thin,  slimy  skin,  usually  of  a  dark  color,  and  perforated  to  corre- 
spond with  the  apertures  of  the  canals,  commonly  called  "  holes  of 
the  sponge."  The  sponge  of  commerce  is,  in  reality,  only  the 
skeleton  of  a  sponge.  The  composition  of  this  skeleton  varies  in 
the  different  kinds  of  sponges,  but  in  the  commercial  grades  it  con- 
