with an Account of a Descent into Eldon Hole. I7I 



actions, and with similar and varied effects produced in different, 

 but still more particularly in identical formations. 



There existed, however, on the eastern acclivity of the limestone 

 ridge a hole celebrated for its depth, its difficulty of access, and for 

 the traditional tales of wonder which had been attached to its dark 

 depths. It appeared probable that, placed as it was near the en- 

 trance of the waters at the swallows and their direction towards the 

 caverns of Hope Vale, that an exploration of its communications might 

 lead to some additional facts of interest on the subterranean course 

 of these streams ; and accordingly we prepared to make a descent. 



To accomplish this, planks were placed across the opening to 

 support a turn-tree or windlass, a strong rope of more than 80 

 yards in length was swung on a saddle, and held by several men ; 

 another, to which was attached a heavy stone, was let down into 

 the cavern as a guide, and a piece of wood was fastened to the ex- 

 tremity of the former to give the comfort and security of a seat. 

 We were accompanied in our descent by two miners, Daniel Miller 

 and John Thornhill, whose skill and care deserve aknowledg- 

 ment.* 



The chink forming the entrance of Eldon Hole, is about 34 feet 

 long, and presents no features in which indications of the action of 

 water could be traced. Its elevation above the limestone district to 

 the south, forbade any idea of its entrance having communicated 

 with any waters coming from that direction ; and being not far re- 

 moved from the summit of the ridge on which it is situated, there 

 was neither distance for the accumulation of any body of water, nor 

 evidence of the former existence of any such stream that could have 

 contributed towards its formation. 



Subsequent investigation soon showed us that it was in reality 

 an eynpty vein, — a large opening in the rock, unfilled by any sub- 

 sequent deposition, and such as has been described by the Baron 

 Von Buch and by Wahlenberg. This vein, at the point where 

 its two sides come into closer contact, is filled with a soft yellow 

 clay, about 18 inches wide. The open portion, constituting the 

 ^rst chamber of Eldon Hole, bore evident traces of the long-conti- 

 nued action of running water. 



- It is a remarkable fact connected with the veins of metallic ore 

 which are known to abound so much in the limestone of Derbyshire, 

 that their direction is uniformly from east to west ; while all veins 

 that course in an opposite direction, are either empty, unproductive, 

 or filled with non-metallic substances. Now the direction of the 

 large vein of Eldon Hole is from north to south. 

 . A wall of stone is placed around to keep cattle from its danger- 



• Several descents had been previously made into this curious cavern. There 

 is a record of an individual who lost his reason in the attempt. Mr. Lloyd has 

 given an account of his descent in the Philosophical Transactions, and we found 

 his description extremely accurate. Since that time some miners penetrated the 

 abyss, on the invitation of a gentleman engaged in a topographical history of the 

 High Peak. 



