188 THE MAMMOTH CAVE. 



" The exploration requires five or six days, 

 and an army of guides is always J5:ept for the 

 service of travelers." 



Farther on the author states that, " Up to the 

 present time 226 avenues have been made out, 

 besides 57 domes, 11 lakes, 7 rivers, 8 cataracts, 

 and 32 abysses, some of which are of immense 

 depth." Those readers who have followed us 

 closely will recognize that the above estimate is 

 considerably magnified, on the principle, we pre- 

 sume, that "distance lends enchantment to the 

 view;" for it does not appear in the record that 

 the writer had ever made a personal inspection 

 of the things whereof he speaks. 



Dr. Poucher speaks of the human mummies 

 and human skeletons found in the Cave; also, 

 of the discovery therein of the bones of the bear, 

 hyena, and mastodon. We are not aware that 

 he obtained this information from any American 

 authority. Indeed, he does not cite authorities 

 for any of his assertions regarding the Cave. 

 Dr. P. mentions the blind fishes of the Cave, and 

 gives a tolerably accurate diagram of them. He 

 does not refer to the recognized name given them 

 by Professor Agassiz [Amhiyopsis spelseus), but 

 calls them Cyprinodonts. He adds that they 

 appear to be devoid of eyes. This question, as 



