104 THE MAMMOTH CAVE. 



minutes of rough travel brought us to a large 

 circular hall, with a vaulted ceiling, from the 

 center of which poured a cascade of crystal 

 water, striking upon the slant side of a large re- 

 clining boulder, and finally disappearing through 

 a funnel-shaped pit in the floor. It sparkled 

 like a shower of pearls in the light of our lamps 

 as we clustered around the brink of the pit to 

 drink from the stores gathered in those natural 

 bowls which seem to have been hollowed out for 

 the uses of the invisible gnomes." 



The avenue which leads to Roaring River 

 takes its origin in Cascade Hall. 



2. The Dripping Spring is a pool of water 

 that is supplied from the ceiling. Stalactites 

 and stalagmites are found at this point. 



3. The Infernal Region receives its name 

 from the fact that the floor is composed of wet 

 clay and is exceedingly irregular. It is almost 

 impossible to pass over it without receiving a 

 fall. Several of our party would be willing to 

 testify to this assertion. 



4. The Sea-Serpent is a tortuous crevice in 

 the rock overhead, that has been cut by running 

 water, the layer of rock that formed the floor of 

 it having been detached. 



5. The Valley Way-Side Cut is a small ave- 



