BIRDS OF THE BAHAMA ISLANDS. 29 



about fifty yards, wlieii another passageway was discovered at right 

 anoies with the one we were followinsf. It extended but a short 

 distance, leading to a small chamber, hung with a few stalactites, but 

 not to be compared with the one we had first entered. A number 

 of small passages led away in different directions, but few of them 

 "large enough to permit of our entrance; and those which we were 

 able to enter were gradually being closed by the almost impercep- 

 tible growth of the huge pillars. 



This cave, as far as we were able to enter it, appeared to be about 

 two hundred yards in depth. Some of the chambers literally 

 swarmed with bats, which flew about our heads or hung from the 

 ceiling, uttering shrill squeaks as we penetrated into their domain. 



As we emerged from the cave, it seemed like entering an oven. 

 Our animals stood with drooping heads and half-closed eyes, seem- 

 ingly overcome by the intense heat. The mercury exposed to the 

 sun showed a temperature of 154°, and if a foot was exposed for a 

 few minutes to the sun's rays, the shoe became so hot as to cause 

 a burning sensation to the skin. Our drinking-water, which had 

 been put up in bottles and packed in the saddle-bags, was found to 

 have become //o/.. Both of us had a slight headache, but there was 

 no help for it. It was either go on, or miss visiting some of the 

 other caves, which the guide claimed were in close proximity; so 

 we mounted our distressed animals, and made our way slowly along 

 the path leading to a cave which a negro had lately discovered, but 

 which had not been explored, the negroes being very superstitious 

 regarding the caves, and rarely entering one alone if it can be 



