a modification of the cup-shape, is absent. Spongia equina exhibits similar degrees of variation in the texture of the surface and the form. There are no proper cup-shaped specimens among the American varieties of sub-species gossypina, but in place of these the fistular form. These occur generally associated in clumps, more or less densely filled up into heads, and solid, but sometimes the tubes are almost isolated. The younger specimens of this species have a very loose and open texture, due to the approximation and large size of the openings, and to a less degree this is also to be remarked in the gerbis sponge. The former approximate in aspect to the coarser qualities of the American species, and so also does the latter, which has very nearly the same colour and aspect as the darkcoloured Key West specimens, but it is not so coarse or

It seems, then, that there are three sub-species of commercial value in the Mediterranean, which find their way into the New York and European markets. The coarsest varieties of the European sponges are finer, firmer, and more elastic than the finest of the corresponding American sub-species. This is directly traceable to the larger amount of foreign matter included in the primary threads, the looser mesh of the tissue; the fibres are also comparatively coarser and the large cloacal channels more numerous throughout the mass.

Thus the different varieties of sub-species gossypina differ in an exactly similar way from each other, and from the third form, sub-species cerebriformis; they differ in texture, in surface, and also in habitat, the finer kinds, as stated previously, being found in the deeper water, equally removed from excessive heat and excessive sediment. These three sub-species run together by means of specimens of the coarser varieties, which cannot be distinguished

from each other with any certainty, in the same manner as the corresponding sub-species in the Mediterranean and Caribbean Seas were connected, through the coarser, and not by the aid of the finer varieties. It is evident, however, that besides the general differences previously noted, the cup-shape form is not found in the American subspecies, whereas it is the prevalent form of the Mediterranean sub-species. A cursory examination of a large collection will, however, satisfy any one that the shape does not necessarily correllate with a finer or a coarser skeleton, but probably with a more or less extended base of attachment and local peculiarities, such as currents, and the kind of bottom, etc., which have not been investigated in this connection.

The American Sponge Fisheries.-The coarser descriptions of sponge entering into commerce are procured about the Bahamas banks and the coast of Florida.

Sponge fishing is said to have become a very profitable business in the neighbourhood of Key West, Florida. The article is mostly procured there by the natives of the Bahamas, who best understand the business of sponges ; and its principal grounds are Rock Island, a scope of land 30 miles long by seven miles broad, lying off Taylor county and 60 miles north-west from Cedar Keys; thence from the mouth of the Withlacoochee, past Martin's Reef to near Tampa Bay, a distance of perhaps 300 miles.

The number of small schooners engaged is between 75 and 100, with an average of from 5 to 15 men to each, and an average of three dingies to each vessel. The vessels built for the purpose are half oval-shape, and as flat as is consistent with due regard to sailing qualities. Dingy, or dincey, is the small boat used to gather the

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sponge, and is usually managed by two men. about 600 men daily engaged in gathering when the weather is fair. Quiet weather and calm sea are always taken advantage of. These dingies, when likely to be called into service, are towed Indian file at the stern of the larger vessel. Each sponger is provided with a "spongehook," made of iron, with three prongs, a socket fitting on a pole one and a half inches thick and from 18 to 35 feet long; also a "water-glass," a bucket with a pane of glass fitted in the bottom. This adds to the power of vision by excluding the light from behind, enabling the sponger to penetrate with his eye at least 10 or 15 feet deeper into the water. The sculler propels the boat along very slowly; in the mean time the sponger sits hanging over the side of the dingy with his head at the bucket held by the hand and his eye penetrating the depths below, taking in all that passes within his line of vision. As soon as he sees his legitimate prey, he raises his sponge-hook with his right hand, in which he is assisted by the sculler, still keeping his eye at the glass, grapples the sponge, then puts aside the glass and hauls it in.

Frequently his sight is darkened and view obstructed by the intervention of the monsters of the deep. A huge shark, a sawfish, or perhaps an enormous devil-fish, very often large schools of beautiful fish, "Spanish mackerel," "cavallie," "sailor's choice," "pompeno," pass beneath him in such numbers as to seriously interfere with his occupation. Again, his sight is regaled with lovely coral formations, deep fissures and grottoes, gem-lined within.

When a dingy load is gathered, the sponges are taken to the vessel, where they are placed roots down, eyes up, until they are dead. This part of the sponge fishing is the most disagreeable, and causes the vessel to be almost

unbearable, the sponge exhuming a bloody, slimy matter of most offensive odour.

The vessel having secured a full cargo makes for port, when the sponges are taken ashore and buried in the sand in a place technically called a "crawl." It is generally constructed of a paling of oak staves driven in the sand, and the lee of some island is selected as the spot. The sponges are left a week or longer, when the slimy flesh, as it may be called, having rotted off, the sponger goes into the crawl with a "bruiser" (a small paddle), and with a few strokes on the top of the sponge, clears it from the filth and skin; after which it is assorted into the different varieties, collected upon strings of convenient length and bleached in the sun, when they are ready for the market.

The sponge on the bar grows something like a bed of cabbages or mushrooms, and presents a beautiful appearance, very dark and seemingly having eyes. The sponge reefs in deep water are called "feather bars," from the feathery or fan-like appearance of the coral, very often seen growing up through the sponge, and in such places the larger sponges are generally found. The different kinds of sponge found on this coast are known as "loggerhead," "sheep-wool," "turtle-grass," and "yellow." The sheep-wool and yellow only are marketable. The latter is worth is. per pound; sheep-wool averaging 4s. per pound.

There are two sponge seasons proper, during the winter and summer months; should the water continue clear, however, it then lasts all through the year.

The common practice is to gather sponge on shares, the vessel getting one-third and the crew two-thirds, the provision bill being assessed in the same ratio. The