i 
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430 Kain on Caves. 
in my preceding communication. Indeed we may say, without 
danger of exaggeration, that the range of Alleghany Mountains 
presents a variety of the most curious features, and many ob- 
jects of beauty and sublimity. I have noticed a few of the 
most Set but “the half is not told.” 
~~ BOE«-- 
Extract of a Letter, &c. 
Knoxville, Nov. 24, 1818. 
_ 1 WAS on a visit to a frienda few days since, about 30 miles 
to the north of this, and was invited by him to visit an inter- 
esting curiosity in the neighborhood. We crossed the Clynch 
River where it is much confined by mountains, and banks as 
high as mountains, Our guide conducted us to the foot of a 
steep declivity, where we left our horses, and with some. difh- 
culty ascended about 70 yards. Here we came to the mouth 
of a_cave which had been stopped up by a stone wall. The 
wall was made of limestone and mortar, which is now harder 
than the stone itself. It is without a doubt, artificial, for be- 
sides the evidence afforded by. its. Structure, it contains bones 
and animal remains, 
What was this wall built for? There was a tradition among 
the inhabitants that it contained money, and they were much 
disappointed on opening it, not to find any. Like other caves, 
it contains a variety of calcareous concretions, and I obtained 
some fine specimens of brown spar, which I will take the first 
opportunity to send you. 
I remain your Friend, 
JOHN H. KAIN. 
N. B. This wall is 10 feet thick. 
