66 DEEPDALE CAVE. 



mass of rocky debris cemented together with stalagmite. The 

 length is a little less than that of the first chamber, being about 

 seventy-two feet. Stalagmite is abundant. Along the right-hand 

 wall is a well-defined horizontal ridge of this substance, the edge 

 of an old stalagmiiic slieet, and the opposite wall is to a very 

 large extent covered with large masses. This side demands 

 special attention ; and a study of the next illustration, which is a 

 transverse section of this second chamber, will make all plain 

 enough to the reader. He will notice that the roof does not 

 join the left wall ; in other words, that this chamber is an expan- 

 sion of a large fissure extending upwards to A, and downwards 

 below D. 



This feature is of great importance, as it throws some light on 

 the origin of the cave and the small cavities below the second 

 chamber. These cavities are shown in both my sections. They 

 are entered through a crevice in the stalagmite-covered slope at 

 the back of this chamber.* I believe Mr. Millett is the only 

 person who has explored them, their exploration being very 

 difficult and even dangerous. I am indebted to him for the 

 following particulars, also for the details which I have incorporated 

 into my sections. As he has only roughly measured them, these 

 details must not be otherwise regarded than as approximately to 

 scale ; they are indicated on the general section by dotted lines. 

 According to Mr. Millett, these cavities are haphazard spaces in a 

 jumbled mass of fallen debris, consisting chiefly of broken 

 stalagmite, and masses of limestone varying from a few pounds to 

 five or six tons in weight. The stalagmite he identifies with the 

 ancient sheet referred to above, of which the broken edges along 

 the side of the second chamber are the sole remains in situ. 

 These blocks are frequently in a very loose condition, as may be 

 judged from his own words — "It is very dangerous to work in 

 these places. If you remove one block several others are sure to 



* This way into these cavities was accidentally formed by Mr. Salt and 

 Dr. Bennet, of Buxton, in 1886. The original entrance was at the lowest 

 point of the floor of this chamber, but is now covered up with the lUhris of 

 the excavations. 



