THE QUARRY-CAVES OF JERUSALEM. 545 



especially mention only those which now exist at Jerusalem, and which 

 are among the most important of their kind. 



Much of the limestone of the Judean fold is suitable for common 

 masonry and it is everywhere so used, hut one stratum which comes 

 to the surface at Jerusalem is especially valuable. Its superior 

 quality seems to be limited to the vicinity of that ancient city, for that 

 quality has not been found in the equivalent stratum of the series else- 

 where. It is a light gray limestone sometimes, and, not improperly, 

 called marble, but locally it is known as Malake or the Koyal stone. 

 It is of good appearance, great durability and of uniform texture, and 

 is worked with comparative ease. The place of surface outcrop of 

 this stratum within the city walls is now covered with compactly built 

 houses, but all the good stone was doubtless removed from there long 

 before the present city and its walls were built and its place filled with 

 the accumulated debris of centuries. The first surface quarries of this 

 fine stone must have been very ancient, and the condition of the ground 

 surface just north of the present north wall of the city shows that they 

 were extensive. But even in ancient times, the exposures at the surface 

 of this valuable stone were inadequate to the demand, and the quarries 

 were extended underground, following the dip of the strata, which 

 is there about ten degrees. In this way the quarry caves were formed, 

 the firm stratum above the Malake making a good roof and the equally 

 firm one beneath making a good floor. The so-called Grotto of Jere- 

 miah, just north of the present north wall of the city, is one of those 

 quarry caves. It is accessible to travelers for an entrance fee and 

 attracts considerable attention because tradition says the 'Lamenta- 

 tions' were written there. But the most extensive cave of this kind 

 exists beneath the Mohammedan quarter, or northeastern part of the 

 city itself, and is not accessible except by official permission. From 

 its location and historical references to it, I have no doubt that it was 

 this cave which furnished at least the greater part of the fine stone for 

 Solomon's temple and other great buildings of ancient Jerusalem. I 

 do not know by what distinctive name it may have been called in 

 ancient times, but it is now locally called by a name that signifies ' The 

 Cotton Grotto.' 



Through our American consul, a small party of us got permission 

 from the Turkish governor of Jerusalem to visit this cave, and he de- 

 tailed a very courteous officer to accompany us. We passed out of the 

 city by the north, or Damascus gate, turned eastward and went about 

 one hundred yards along the trail which encircles the city near the 

 walls and came to a place opposite the 'Grotto of Jeremiah,' where a 

 rock escarpment or low cliff forms the base of the city wall. The 

 entrance to the cave is in the face of this escarpment, and it is so 

 vol. lxii. 35. 



