86 THE MAMMOTH CAVE. 
etc., made in the Mammoth Cave. Feeling in- 
terested in everything connected with the Cave, 
particularly the scientific observations, we read 
the letter with more than ordinary attention, but 
were disappointed to discover that mere conjec- 
tures of a sensational character were presented 
to the uninformed public as the result of scien- 
tific investigations. The writer begins by say- 
ing, “ Will you permit me through the columns 
of your paper to invite attention to some very. 
remarkable natural facts, communicated to me 
by Dr. (naming a physician), of this city, which 
came under his observation during a visit of sci- 
entific research to that geological freak of nature, 
the Mammoth Cave? They seem to be worthy 
of record, but, as the doctor modestly intimated, 
may have been the subject of observation by 
others as well as himself, although perhaps not 
possessing the same degree of interest. Keenly 
alive to everything, however remotely connected 
with his favorite profession, the doctor, 1t seems, 
was perfectly astonished at the fixed and chronic 
state of blindness and deafness in which he found 
the permanent inhabitants of the Cave. These 
beings, it appears, are not only without eyes, or 
even the trace of an orbit, but, so far as could 
be ascertained by careful and indefatigable in- 
