CAVE OF BOLONCHEN. 49 



which led to a huge cavern strewn with broken rocks which 

 had fallen from the roof above. For the space of twenty 

 minutes we clambered over these boulders, and finally 

 reached a level path in a passage some fifteen or twenty feet 

 high and twenty-five in width. The floor was broken into 

 ripple-marks, like those on a sea-shore, and looked as though 

 water had flowed over it at some distant day. This path was 

 followed for some distance, when it branched in several di- 

 rections; one branch led, straight ahead and was said to lead 

 to a small village some six miles away, and was used by the 

 ancient Mayas as a place of retreat when hard pressed by 

 their enemies. The other passages led through a laby- 

 rinth of stalactitic columns, and we did not explore them. As 

 evening was approaching, we returned to the hacienda. 



This cave was but one of many such which are scattered 

 throughout Yucatan. The whole surface of the country is 

 flat and without a water course of any kind, so that the in- 

 habitants are compelled to depend upon the water obtained 

 in cenotes, caves, and tanks for their supply. There are 

 numerous streams throughout the country in the depths of 

 these caves; one notable instance is the Cave of Bolonchen, 

 in which, at the depth of some four hundred feet, a stream 

 of good water is found. This is probably true of all the 

 caves, although some have not yet been explored sufficiently 

 to determine whether all are thus supplied or not. As the 

 country is composed of transition limestone it is natural that 

 numerous caves should abound, and that th^ water should 

 seek its lowest level in the softest rock. 



