Page:Collier's New Encyclopedia v. 09.djvu/60

LEFT SPONGE 34 SPONTINI, GASPARO protoplasm named spores, which are formed in autumn, and which on libera- tion in spring are found to contain small reproductive particles, which after a free existence develop into sponges. Sexual reproduction is represented by the union of certain cells representing ova or eggs, and other cells representing spermatozoa. After fecundation a sponge-egg undergoes the stages of seg- mentation common to the developing eggs of all animals, till the morula or mulberry stage is reached. Thereafter the egg becomes elongated and swims freely about in the water. An internal cavity is next formed, this cavity com- municating by a mouth externally, and being bounded by two layers (ectodern and endoderm). In this stage the young sponge is a gastrula. Latterly the outer cilia disappear, internal cilia are de- veloped, and the sponge ultimately fixes itself, and circulation is established. Sponges are classified either as the kera- tosa (horny), silicea (flinty, e. g., "Venus's flower basket," or euplectella), and calcarea (e. g., sycon). A more philosophical arrangement divides the sponge class into families: (1) Fibro- spongise (fibrous, including silicea); (2) Myxospongise (Halisarca) ; Calci- spongiss (e. g,, sycon and calcareous generally). Fossil sponges are of fre- quent occurrence. The sponges of commerce come from the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, the West Indies, and the coasts of Florida. In the Archipelago, Crete, Cyprus, on the coasts of Asia Minor, Syria, Bar- bary, and the Bahama Islands, sponge fisheries constitute a very important in- dustry. The finest sponges are obtained in Turkish waters. Sponges of a coarse texture and large honey-combing are found all along the coast of Tripoli and Tunis. The West Indian trade is of importance. The Bahamas and the coast of Florida are the best fishing grounds. The qualities most in commercial demand are "wool," "reef," and "velvet"; the other kinds go by the names of "boat," "silk" or "glove," "grass," "hardhead," "mixed," "yellov/," and "refuse." West Indian sponge is harsher, coarser, and less durable than its Mediterranean con- gener. About 2,250 men are engaged in Florida sponge fishery, and 156 vessels are employed. The fidiing is generally confined to the S. W. part of the coast and reefs and shoals between St. Mark's and Anclote Keys. The methods employed in the fishery diff"er gi'eatly from those employed in the Mediterranean, where divers go down and bring up the sponges. Small vessels, carrying crews of from 5 to 15 men, are fitted out at Key West and Appalachicola for trips of from four to eight weeks on the sponge grounds. The crews are paired off into small row- boats, or "dingies," to catch the sponges. One man stands in the stei-n, sculling the boat, while the other kneels in the bottom amidships, with the upper half of his body leaning over the side, and scans the bottom of the sea. To aid the eye an instrument called a "water glass," which is a common water bucket whose wooden bottom has been replaced by one of glass, is used by setting it in the water and thrusting the face as far into it as convenient. When a sponge is sighted the boat is stopped, and the kneeling man uses a two-pronged hook, attached to a slender pole 30 or 40 feet in length, to secure it. Considerable dexterity is required of both men. To cure the sponges they are first spread about the vessel's deck in their natural upright position, so that they will die, and while decomposing allow the gela- tinous matter to run off freely. When they have been several days in this posi- tion they are taken to the shore and thrown into the water in little pens, called "crawls," where the remaining substance is soaked and squeezed out. There are several varieties of sponges caught in the Florida waters. There are first, sheep's wool; second, yellow sponges, and third, grass sponges, which are coarse in texture and not durable. In average years the yield is over 400,- 000 lbs., valued at over $500,000. SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION. See Combustion. SPONTINI, GASPARO, an Italian composer; born in Majolatti, near Jesi, in the Roman States, Nov. 14, 1774. He was educated at the Conservatorio de la Pieta of Naples, and began his career when 17 years of age as the composer of an opera, "The Punctilio of Women." This was followed by some 16 operas, produced within six years, for the thea- ters of Italy and Sicily, but not a note of which has survived. In 1803 Spontini went to Paris; in 1807 he was appointed music director to the Empress Josephine; and in 1808 he produced his most famous work, "The Vestal," with brilliant and decisive success. His "Fernando Cortez" appeared in 1809; and the next year witnessed his appointment to the direc- torship of the Italian Opera in Paris, which he held for 10 years. In 1820 the magnificent appointments offered by the court of Prussia tempted him to leave Paris for Berlin, in which capital his three grand operas, "Nourmahal"