THE MAMMOTH CAVE OF KENTUCKY. 6'J 



indeed one is liable to be accused of exaggeration when describing 

 it. It IS about two miles lorg, averages ten feet high, and from 

 forty to fifty feet wide. The whole roof is covered from one end 

 to the other with the most beautiful flowers and fruit, like 

 formations of sulphate of lime (gypsum,) [pi, I, fig. i,] which 

 nave been often quoted as examples of the extraordinary forms 

 which this mineral assumes. Near the entrance the roof is 

 covered with white nodules, exactly like snow-balls : these soon 

 give place to clusters of grapes, and in one part is a thin stalactite, 

 which appears like the stem of a grape vine : then come the 

 flowers, here the apparent evidence of design ismostremarable, we 

 look upon sun-flowers, dahlias, and daisies sparkling in the Eengal 

 light, as real flowers do on a sunny day in fields and gardens. 

 The space between these flowers is filled up with countless white 

 crystals each reflecting the light, till the whole glistens and 

 sparkles like diamonds, and the scene is fairy-land. We leave the 

 Cleveland Cabinet with regret, to ascend the " Rocky Mountains" 

 of the Cave : these consist of a mammoth heap of debris fallen 

 from the roof, some pieces of rock are of several tons weight, 

 the whole heap is about one hundred feet high. On reaching the 

 summit, we come to a large cavern which terminates the Long 

 Route, but by no means the end of the Cave in this direction, for 

 there are several openings leading off into unknown parts. The 

 one corner is a pit said to be of great depth, it has been tried once 

 or twice with considerable risk of life, owing to the friction of 

 the rope against the side, and the falling of rock, but it- could be 

 done with proper appliances. 



It is to be hoped that the proprietors will explore the Cave more 

 fully, so that the countless wonders there entombed may be 

 revealed : but so few tourists visit the spot it does not pay them to 

 do so. For my own part there is no sight in America that so 

 amply repays a visit, but it baffles description ; and I feel that in 

 this short paper I have not done justice to the wonders of the 

 Mammoth Cave of Kentucky, but merely said enough to give an 

 outline of its contents and formation. 



