Description of a Grotto at the Cape of Good Hope. 273 



height, being part of an extensive chain of calcareous mountains 

 which divides the Kango country from the great Kaaroo or desert. 

 The entrance is at the height of about 100 feet from the level of a 

 brook which passes close to the hill. The door-way or entrance 

 is about 20 feet high, and a most romantic excavation. From the 

 entrance you are led in nearly a horizontal direction for 200 feet, 

 when a precipice of 33 feet presents itself, and which is descended 

 by a ladder into Van Zeily's Hall, (named after the discoverer, as 

 are likewise the other chambers,) a most wonderful subterranean 

 vault about 100 feet broad, varying in height from 60 to 70 feet, 

 and measuring in length about COO feet. The scenery in this 

 cavern is grand and awful in the extreme, adorned with the most 

 splendid stalactites, which were greatly beautified by the glare of 

 torches, some of the columns rising to the height of 40 feet, 

 (caused by a single drop of water from the roof,) others appearing 

 in the shape of cauliflowers, festoons, and assuming all kinds of 

 fantastic forms. The next apartment is the Registry (from the 

 names being wrote upon the walls) about 40 feet broad, and 25 

 feet high. From this we are led to Botha's Hall, about 140 feet 

 broad and 50 feet high ; adjoining this is the south chamber, a 

 small place about 30 feet long, 15 broad, and 20 high, which hads 

 to Vander-West-huissen's Chamber, 15 feet high, 10 long, and as 

 many broad ; from this we are led to Thom'f Chamber, 14 feet 

 long, 8 broad, and 15 high. At the end of this last mentioned 

 apartment a precipice of 14 feet, prevented others exploringjthis 

 grand cavern, however I ventured down, followed by three slaves, 

 who all lost their torches in the descent, and fell neck over heels ; 

 fortunately my light was secured, when I proceeded first into 

 what I take upon myself to call " George Thompson's Chamber." 

 This I fully explored, and found it about 500 feet long, 50 broad 

 in some parts, and varying in height from 20 to 40 feet. This is 

 the extremity of the cavern, which I presume may be upwards of 

 1500 feet from the entrance. On the right, near the ladder, is 

 Bat Corner, or Fledermuishoek. The Rhombus is on the right of 

 Van Zeily's Hall. The Pyp or Yzigle Chamber, and the Bath- 

 house are also on the right of Botha's Hall. The passage between 

 Vol. XVI. T 



