THE MAMMOTH CAVE. 207 



ceeded in breaking off and securing two or 

 three small specimens of the stalagmites from 

 the bottom of Lake Purity. 



The Gothic Arcade terminates half a mile 

 beyond Lake Purity, in a dome and small cas- 

 cade ; but visitors are rarely conducted beyond 

 the lake. 



This was the final end of our explorations in 

 the Mammoth Cave. We retraced our steps to 

 the Main Avenue, and wended our way to the 

 mouth of the Cave. At the time of our exit on 

 this occasion the daylight still prevailed, and 

 the bright sunshine, besides being painful to the 

 retina, presented a most singular appearance to 

 our temporarily unaccustomed sight. Upon 

 reaching the entrance, and looking out from 

 behind the falling skein of water, the trees 

 seemed to be illuminated with an unnatural 

 fire. The daylight had a warm yellow hue, 

 intensely bright, and the sky was paler, but 

 more luminous than usual. The air, by con- 

 trast with the exhilarating and pure atmos- 

 phere of the Cave, felt close, unpleasantly 

 warm, and oppressive, — like that of an ill-ven- 

 tilated greenhouse in winter. There was too 

 much perfume in it, — too many varieties of 



II 



