THE MAMMOTH CAVE. 73 



heathen mythology are reversed in the Mam- 

 moth Cave. Here we pass the Bottomless Pit 

 before reaching the River Styx, — instead of 

 w ferrying over the latter on our way to the 



former ! 



The " Visitor" (whose work was published by 

 Morton & Griswold, Louisville) remarks, " He 

 who could paint the infinite variety of creation 

 can alone give an adequate idea of this marvel- 

 ous region. As you pass along, you hear the 

 roar of invisible waterfalls ; and at the foot of 

 the slope the River Styx lies before you, deep 

 and black, overarched with rock. The first 

 glimpse of it brings to mind the descent of 

 Ulysses into hell, 



' Where the dark rock o'erhangs the infernal lake, 

 And mingling streanas eternal murmurs make.'" 



The River Styx is one hundred and fifty 

 yards long, from fifteen to forty in width, and 

 in depth varies from thirty to forty feet. It has 

 a subterranean communication with other rivers 

 of the Cave, and, when Green River rises to a 

 considerable height, has an open communication 

 with all of them. 



The Natural Bridge spans the River Styx, 

 and is about thirty feet above it. When the 



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