Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-10-01
VOL. 9--N0. 5.


Sponges 3eiong 10 the lowest class OF ami
mails; creature which may be said to form
the first link in, the great chain of life
which ends with man. This microscopic
protozoon il by no means unfreqgeptly to, be
met with in stagnant waters-and vegetable i'm
fusions. 1t is a minute semi fluid mass, pre-
senting scarcely any evidence of distinct or
ganization, even, of the simplest kind. When
the creature, in the course of its progress,
meets with a. particle capable of affording it
nutriment, its gelatinous body spreads itself
over and around the precious, morceI so as to
ehselop it completely. The substance TINS
taken into this extemporized stomach, under.
goes sort Of digestion, the nutritive material
being extracted, and the indigesriable part
being, as it We're, squeezed ont of the body.
OF the mode OF its reproduction nothing yet
is known, save that it undergoes multiplication
by self division, and that portions separated
from the mass, either by cutting or tearing,
can develope themselves. into independent
beings. This living speck of jelly which can
get along without legs, and which can convert
any portion of its substance into a stomach.
mty be regarded as the type the Protozoa.
In the living sponge the skeleton. usually
composed OF fbrous network, strengthened
by spicules of mineral matter, is clothed, with
a soft flesh Most sponges are strengthened
by calcareons or siliceous spicules, and the
variety of forms presented by these bodies is
almost endless In the ordinary sponge.
spongia o6icinalis, the ibrous skeleton is almost
entirely destitute of spcules; but in the curious
and hea fri of D..
network of fbers is composed of slick, and is
so transparent that it looks as if composed of
spun glass.
With the exception of those that belong to
the genus S2ongilia, all known sponges are
marine, but they difher very much in habit of
growth some are only found at considerable
depths, others live near the surface, and many
attach themselves to rocks and shells between
the tide marks. The average depth at which
the best Turkey sponges are found is thirty
fathoms; those of an inferior quality are found
at lesser depths
All the finer descriptions of sponges are OBJ
tanned from Islands in the Mediterranean, and
the coarser description from the Bahama banks
and the coast of Florida. About one thousand
bales. each weighing 300 lbs, are shipped an
nualy from Nassau, New Providence. Sponge
fishing is also carried on at Key West, in Flori-
da, where about 1000 lbs. are gatherd an
ually. Our great sourse of sponges however,
is the Bahamas.
The Andsor Island and the Gays are the
great sponging districts. The sponge is usu-
ally found in grassy and rocky patches near
the shores Of this group. Crawls for cleaning
these may be seen, constructed with stakes
about two inches thick, driven into the mud,
and forming square of twelve feet, sufficiently
high to prevent the sponge washing out. In
these the sponge is soaked and washed frequent-
ly, after having been buried in sand about
week or ten days, when it loses the black
animal matter, which has an. offensive smell.
When first gatherd the pieces are wrenched
from the rocks with strong two pronged fork
fixed to pole. The sponges are of four
kinds-yellow, glove, velvet and mop. Tho
first is the most valuable kind the second is
the toughest, and used much in stables for its
softness. In 1859. 2G7, ,45O pounds of Bahama
spOnges were imported into the United States.
At Nassau, New Providence, it may be seen
in vast quantities on clear days spread on the
roofs of houses, and hung upon fences to dry.
All the sponges which are hawked around our
streets for sale, either come from Key West
Or Nassau. - - 49, 49,
TOUCHING DEvorIos TO THE FLAa.-H. AL
4 u u