THE MAMMOTH CAVE OF KENTUCKY. 57 



Rain water naturally runs in the direction where gravity 

 leads it, and pours into the first crevice which happens to 

 intercept, in this way the limestone is dissolved and a cave is begun j 

 after a time the area becomes greater, and the volume of water 

 pouring in, becomes so great that another force is brought into 

 play, viz., mechanical force. At last it may be, a subterranean 

 river is formed, the current of which constantly washes away a 

 large quantity of the surrounding rock. In this way the great 

 Mammoth Cave has been formed, and is still extending, as also 

 are thousands of smaller caves in different parts of the world. 



The Mammoth Cave is situated in the backwoods of Kentucky, 

 and the State may be congratulated on containing one, if not the 

 greatest wonder in the world. The nearest railway station is at 

 Cave City, a distance of eight miles, and the Cave is only to be 

 reached by a rough road. This Cave was discovered in 1 790, by a 

 man in pursuit of a bear, but for a considerable time little or 

 nothing was known of it, or it was thought not to be of much 

 value, being sold with other land for six dollars shortly after its 

 discovery. How far the Cave extends no one can tell, but it is 

 said to contain from 150 to 200 miles of known road. This road 

 does not lie straight, or on the same level, but is composed of tiers, 

 one above another. The proprietor will not allow any plan to be 

 made of it, and special instructions are posted up to this effect ; 

 the reason is that the Cave, probably, extends under other people's 

 property, and if the proprietors knew of it, an entrance would be 

 effected, and the present owner cut off from the monoply which 

 he now enjoys consequent on there being but one entrance. The 

 extent of road may be exaggerated, but there is much yet which 

 human eye has never seen. The Cave is shewn by guides, chiefly 

 blacks; the proprietor is fortunate in the men whom he has 

 selected, as they possess unusual intelligence. One man, now 

 dead, named Stephen, will in name live for ever in connection 

 with the Cave ; he discovered most of what is known 3 since his 

 death another negro has acquired considerable knowledge of its 

 construction and treasures. 



