52 THE MAMMOTH CAVE. 



ment was slower; and where clay occurs, the 

 water was almost or quite stationary. 



"At one time the water rushed with great force 

 through Fat Man's Misery, for in Great Relief, 

 which is just beyond, washed gravel occurs ; 

 still farther, sand is found, which is succeeded 

 by clay : showing that the current was in the 

 direction of Echo River, Before the mechanical 

 agency could have exerted any appreciable influ- 

 ence, the chemical must have been in operation 

 for thousands of ages. 



"The loose rocks that are scattered on the 

 floors of many of the avenues have fallen from 

 the walls and ceiling, but in many instances the 

 points from which they were detached are indis- 

 tinct, from the fact that the rugged surface from 

 which they have fallen is either smoothed by 

 the action of water, or covered by crystals of 

 the carbonate or sulphate of lime. 



"In those parts of the Cave where no rocks 

 have fallen, the floor presents the appearance of 

 the bed of a river, and is covered with gravel, 

 sand, or clay, according to the rapidity of th6 

 flow of the water at the time of the deposit. 



" Visitors need feel no apprehension or alarm 

 in reference to falling rocks, for none have fallen 

 since the discovery of the Cave." 



