THE MAMMOTH CAVE. 207 
“ceeded in breaking off. and securing two or 
three small specimens of the stalagmites from 
the bottom of Lake Purity. 
The Gothic Arcade terminates half a mile 
beyond Lake Purity, in a dome and small cas- 
cade; but visitors are rarely conducted beyond 
the lake. 
This was the final end of our explorations in 
the Mammoth Cave. We retraced our steps to 
the Main Avenue, and wended our way to the 
mouth of the Cave. At the time of our exit on 
this occasion the daylight still prevailed, and 
the bright sunshine, besides being painful to the 
retina, presented a most singular appearance to 
our temporarily unaccustomed sight. Upon 
reaching the entrance, and looking out from 
behind the falling skein of water, the trees 
seemed to be illuminated with an unnatural 
fire. The daylight had a warm yellow hue, 
intensely bright, and the sky was paler, but 
more luminous than usual. The air, by con- 
trast with the exhilarating and pure atmos- 
phere of the Cave, felt close, unpleasantly 
warm, and oppressive,—like that of an ill-ven- 
tilated greenhouse in winter. There was too 
much perfume in it,—too many varieties of 
