654 THE UNIVERSE. 



not end there ; he wished to sleep in the famous grotto, to 

 which he had taken such a fancy, and there he slept. 



Another cavern, the Mammoth Cave of Kentucky, in the 

 United States, owes its renown not to the celebrity of those 

 who have visited it, but to its extent, which is perhaps 

 greater than that of any other existing cave. 



Although imperfectly known up to the present time, it 

 has been found possible to penetrate about ten leagues into 

 it. The entrance is narrow and low, but after progressing 

 for a few minutes by torch-light through a subterranean 

 passage the scene changes, and views of the most grand 

 and varied kind unfold themselves. On one side is seen the 

 magical splendor of stalactite halls, decorated with pillars 

 twisted in a thousand shapes, and fantastic statues draped 

 in their crystal mantles ; on another are seen regular 

 churches, formed of precious stones, gleaming with differ- 

 ent colored lights, the splendor of which dazzles the trav- 

 eller. 



In this obscure labyrinth every spot has its historical 

 name. One is called the Chamber of the Spirits, or 

 haunted chamber ; thus called because it was found strewed 

 with mummies of Indians, most probably from the people 

 who of old inhabited this part of America. In another 

 place a still more striking scene presents itself, for we ar- 

 rive beneath the Dome of the Giant, the immensity of 

 which strikes one with stupor. Enveloped in profound 

 darkness, notwithstanding the great fires lighted by the 

 guides, the eye of the explorer cannot make out the cupola, 

 suspended at a height of about 430 feet above his head. 



At some depth below, the Styx slowly rolls its sad waters 



