The Cultivation of Sponges | Nature


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ABSTRACT AN industry which promises a return of 3000 percent, per annum on a very moderate capital expenditure is an attractive proposition. In the last issue of the _West Indian Bulletin_


Mr. W. R. Dunlop describes the successful rearing of sponges from cuttings in the Caicos Islands, near Jamaica, and also the results of some earlier experiments in Florida. The sponges


occurring naturally in West Indian waters have little commercial value, so that the material for planting must be imported. Although sponges are to a remarkable extent creatures of


environment, and tend when transplanted to approach the native types in quality, there is evidence that this may not occur in selected localities in the Lesser Antilles. As the cuttings will


only grow when attached to an anchorage, it is necessary to provide them with suitable means of support when planting out. Cement discs are used in Florida, to which the sponges are held by


metal clips, but it has been found in the Caicos Islands that slabs of coral are quite as effective as the discs and naturally much cheaper. On soft or sandy bottoms a spindle is set in the


disc to hold the cutting, otherwise the sinking of the disc tends to bury the sponge and kill it. Access through your institution Buy or subscribe This is a preview of subscription content,


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_The Cultivation of Sponges_ . _Nature_ 97, 171 (1916). https://doi.org/10.1038/097171a0 Download citation * Issue Date: 20 April 1916 * DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/097171a0 SHARE THIS


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