652 THE UNIVERSE. 



scent is effected by means of a rope -ladder. " When we 

 arrive at the bottom," says the celebrated botanist, " we 

 have to creep some time among the rocks, sometimes on 

 one's back, sometimes on one's face, and after all this fa- 

 tigue we at last reach this celebrated grotto." It only pre- 

 sents an extent of 900 feet in length and a width of 150 ; 

 but on every side the marble forms clustered pillars, is 



242. Proteus of tlu Subterranean Rivera of Caruiola: Proteus unyuinus (Laurenti). 



twisted into columns like the trunks of trees, or hangs in 

 numerous stalactites which awaken every one's admiration. 

 These varied forms astonished Tournefort, and the view of 

 them recalled his favorite hypothesis, the dissemination of 

 life. " Tt seems," he said, " as if these marble trunks vege- 

 tate." And further on, perceiving the altar, with its beau- 

 tiful flutings of dazzling whiteness, he exclaimed, " This 



