356 Journal of Travel and Natural History 



This cave has evidently been formed by the action of a subter- 

 ranean river, which has thoroughly undermined the whole rock. 

 There are two entrances, one through a low fissure on the south 

 side, and the principal one on the north side, leading through an 

 upper grotto, in which the stalactites have been tastefully left to 

 form a natural canopy, whilst the stalagmites have been carved 

 into quaint figures of warriors, altars, figures of Budha, immense 

 candelabra, and vases forming a crystal joss-house, ornamented 

 with the customary banners, votive tablets, burning joss-stick, and 

 other accessories. 



From the grotto, at the entrance, a descent of forty well-paved 

 steps brought us into the great cavern, which was but dimly illu- 

 mined by our torches of twisted bamboo, and the vast vaulted roof 

 remained in mysterious darkness until we fired some Chinese 

 rockets up vertically, which lighted up the lofty roofs and crystallized 

 stalactites 120 feet above our heads. In every direction were 

 branching caverns, one of which we explored, but were stopped 

 soon by deep pools in the bed of a former torrent. Most of the 

 others were quite full of water. By lighting bonfires of dried grass 

 behind some of the screens of transparent rock, where pillars of 

 stalagmite and stalactite were joined in one, marvellously charming 

 effects were produced. 



The whole rock seemed hollow ; when we discharged our guns 

 with some blank ammunition the reports reverberated like thunder, 

 the echoes dying away in hoarse murmurs in the distant bowels of 

 the mountain. Very grand certainly, and heightened by some 

 crystals from above becoming detached by the vibration, and 

 tumbling about our ears, scattering, as they struck any rocky pro- 

 jections, with a myriad of scintillations. Our attention was now 

 drawn to a hollow rock, forming a natural stone drum. In shape 

 it was something like a mushroom. On being struck smartly, it 

 vibrated with a hollow sound — a very Chinese Memnon, and to 

 which superstition has attached many supernatural abilities. We 

 put a large bundle of Chinese crackers underneath it, which, being, 

 ignited, gave us a startling volley of cracks and bangs, which 

 severely tested the vibratory powers of the marble drum. The 

 noise was indeed deafening, frightening numerous bats from their 

 hidden retreats. The figures of the monks in their long robes, our 

 half naked coolies, and the braves in their picturesque attire, lighted 

 up by the glare of the torchlight, with the savage depths of the 

 cavern as a background, formed a subject for the brush of a Rem- 

 brandt. 



