460 LURAY CAVERN, PAGE COUNTY, VIRGINIA. 



of the land had dumped loose rocks into the aperture to prevent young 

 stock from wandering in and getting lost. The bones discovered are 

 doubtless of considerable human antiquity ; but, as they are found upon 

 one of the few spots in the cave where the tufaceous material is still 

 forming, it would appear probable that their age may not exceed two 

 hundred or three hundred years. 



A few insects have been found in Luray Cave, but a thorough exami- 

 nation with a view to collecting its fauna could not be made in the short 

 stay allowed the Smithsonian i)arty. No streams or pools of water have 

 as yet been found in which an aqueous fauna might exist, and from pres- 

 ent indications it is likely that the variety of animal life will prove to be 

 very limited. At present a few spiders, flies, and one myriapod are 

 known. An account of the former will appear in the American Natur- 

 alist, from the pen of the editor, Dr. A. S. Packard, jr. The myriapod 

 has been described in volume iii, p. 524, of the Proceedings of the Na- 

 tional Museum by Mr. J. A. Ryder and named zygonopus whitei in honor 

 of Dr. C. A. White. 



The vegetable growth is far more limited in extent. The proprietors 

 have been compelled to form the walks and balustrades, through the 

 cave, of green planks. In several places the white mold hangs from the 

 under side of these planks in long graceful festoons, not unlike the moss 

 upon the cypress trees of the South. 



The party were greatly pleased with the courtesies received at the 

 hands of the proprietors of the caverns, the citizen of Luray, and the 

 Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company, and only regret that their limited 

 time and opportunities prevented their making a thorough scientific ex- 

 ploration. 



The Institution is indebted to Mr. McDowell, treasurer of the Shenan- 

 doah VaUey Railroad, for the use of the illustrations in this article. 



