Crear rit fy, 
THE CAVE. 
In order that the reader may form, at the 
outset, some idea of the general outline and 
physical character of the Mammoth Cave, we 
will ask him to imagine the channel of a large 
and winding river, with tributaries at intervals, 
some of them the size of the main stream, 
emptying into the chief river, like, for instance, 
the Missouri and Ohio joining the Mississippi; 
these tributaries also receiving their support 
from creeks, branches, and rivulets, some of 
them quite small and extending but a short 
distance, while others are much larger, longer, 
and more beautiful. Now, it is easy to imagine 
these rivers as being under ground, or having 
a surface-covering of earth and rock, and that 
their rugged channels and banks have ceased, 
from some cause, to be bathed with the waters 
which, in ages long past, flowed so freely along 
them; in fact, that they are perfectly dry, except 
in a few of the avenues. 
(19) 
