THE MAMMOTH CAVE. 61 



ling down into a basin below. This spring is 

 said to have derived its name from an eccentric 

 young country violinist, who, in the spirit of ro- 

 mance, assumed the name of Wandering Willie. 

 He became separated from his companions while 

 within the Cave, had his lamp extinguished, and 

 was found lying asleep beside the spring. This 

 spring is about half a mile from the entrance of 

 the Cave 



We pass the Gothic Galleries, which lead to 

 Gothic Avenue, of which we shall have occasion 

 to speak hereafter, and the Grand Arch is en- 

 tered, which leads to the Giant's Cofhn. This 

 arch is about fifty feet high and sixty wide. 



The Standing Rocks are found to the left of 

 the path ; they are many tons in weight, and 

 have evidently fallen from above, standing with 

 the base upwards, extending eight or ten feet 

 above the floor. They maintain their upright 

 position from the fact that the earth was pene- 

 trated in the fall while in a soft state.. The 

 avenue, however, has been perfectly dry since 

 its first discovery. 



A short distance beyond, on the right, the 

 guide bids us stop, and asks what we see before 

 us. We"" hold up our lamps, and all cry out 

 simultaneously, in an awe-struck tone, "A cof- 



6 



