12 THE MAMMOTH CAVE. 
hams and shoulders suspended from the ceiling, 
as in a smoke-house. They were formed by the 
solvent action of water charged with carbonic 
acid, at the time when the lower portion of them 
rested against a stratum of rock which has since 
been detached. 
The avenue which leads to the Mammoth 
Dome and Sparks’ Avenue takes its origin in 
the Bacon Chamber. | 
About forty feet below the terrace which 
leads to the Natural Bridge is a body of water, 
fifteen feet deep, twenty wide, and fifty feet in 
length, termed the Dead Sea. It is quite as 
gloomy, we are told, as its celebrated name- 
sake. Mr. Martin says, “The name so awful 
and so referable to awful events cannot be 
better illustrated than here. There is a terrible 
grandeur in the place. Long after you have left 
it, the mind’s eye continues cognizant of its many 
sights, the ear of its many sounds. The mem- 
ory holds them, and they ever haunt the dreams 
ef night.” 
When this part of the Cave was first dis- 
covered, the Dead Sea was passed on the terrace 
over its left bank; this passage, however, was 
attended with great danger. 
By a curious anomaly, our teachings in 
a 
