Singular Phenomenon. — Expedition to theRocki/Mmmtains. 73 



great depredations upon it, by breaking off and carrying 

 away whatever they esteemed most curious ; when Samuel C. 

 Kennedy, esq. Mr. Le Ray's agent, was apphed to, to pre- 

 vent further spoUation; who immediately directed the passage 

 into the cavern to be enlarged, stairways made, with a strong 

 door placed under a lock and key, which has been finished, 

 and the door closed. 



The discovery of this grotto, added to the extensive petri- 

 faction along the river in this vicinity, especially on Cowan's 

 Island, of the once inhabitants of the deep, cannot fail to 

 render Watertown (to the curious at least) a lasting place of 

 resort. 



It may be proper to mention here that the cavern has been 

 but partially explored, and that no one who has been into it, 

 although some suppose they have travelled more than 100 

 rods, pretend to have fomid the extent of it, or to know the 

 number of rooms, halls, and chambers which it contains. — • 

 The (American) Watertoxon Republican of May 14, 1822. 



SINGULAR PHENOMENON. 



A number of hagberry ti-ees, growing on the banks of the 

 Girvan, about a mile beyond Kirkmichael, are at present en- 

 tirely divested of their foliage, and covered with a sort of silky 

 substance resembling in texture and appearance the finest 

 cambric paper, but much stronger, which is occasioned by 

 myriads of small worms. These reptiles are first seen in an 

 inactive state hanging in large clusters under the branches. 

 On bursting from embryo they commence to crawl up and 

 down the trunk and branches, each emitting a small slimy 

 thread somewhat finer than the spidei''s, which, from their in- 

 calculable numbers, unite together, and form this singular 

 substance, which covers the trees, and imparts to them, when 

 viewed from a distance, the appearance of blighted trunks 

 covered with snow. Some hundreds of these insects are at 

 times observed suspended by as many threads, which are spun 

 out till they join another branch, and form a passage across. 



EXPEDITION TO THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS. 



A company of 180 adventurers are stated to have left St. 

 Charles, Missouri, on the 10th of April, for the Rocky 

 Mountains. They are described to be of vigorous and mascu- 

 line appearance, well armed, and prepared i'or a three years 

 tour through this almost unknown and savage country. This 

 expedition, it is added, can be truly said to be composed of 

 the yeomanry of Missouri, who have embarked in an enter- 



Vol. 60. No. 291. July, 1822. K prise, 



