BOOK II. CHAP. VII. 99 



prim'is inforcibui orci. Our guide informed us it was unfathomable, 

 and communicated with the lea. The latter is probable, as the en- 

 trance of the grotto is very near the coall. VVe returned acrofs tlie 

 area by the way that we came, only peeping into a few of the 

 other avenues as we proceeded, which we found very little dif- 

 ferent. They had the like rude cielings incrufted with ftaladites, 

 here and there interfperfed with the radical fil)res of trees and plants, 

 and their walks ftrewed with various feeds and fruits, particularly 

 the bread-nut in great abundance; and even fome reptiles, all cu. 

 rioufly covered over with incruftations, but ftill preferving their 

 original fliapes. The ftrudlure and furniture of thefe various 

 cloyfters and apartments, at the fame time that they excite the ut- 

 mofl curiofity, baffle all defcription. In fome we iaw, or fancied 

 we faw, fparkling icicles, and beautifully-variegated foliage, gem- 

 iny canopies, fefloons, thrones, roftrums, bufts, Ikulls, pillars, 

 pilafters, bafons, and a thoufand other femblances of fuch objects 

 as {truck our different imaginations. Moft of the arches and co- 

 lumns feemed to be compofed internally of a greyifh, fonorous 

 marble, and were extravagantly wild and curious. Some are per- 

 fe£t, and fuftain the mafly fuperftrudture ; others half formed ; 

 and fome in their very infant ftate. Several of the apartments are 

 cellular; others, fpacious and airy, having here and there an eye- 

 let-hole to the world above. Thefe aerial communications are of 

 iignal fervice ; for, although not in general large enough to admit 

 much light, yet they introduce kifficient frefh air to expel noxious 

 vapours, and afford a convenient refpiration, except in thofe parts 

 which are moft reclufe. The exterior fummit of the cave is a 

 greyifh rock, honey-combed all over, full of crannies, and thick- 

 fet with various fpecies of trees, whofe roots having penetrated 

 wherefoever they could find an opening, they flourifli without any 

 vifible foil, an appearance which is extremely common in this 

 ifland. We were anxious to inveftigate further : but, upon ex- 

 amining our ftock of torch-wood, we found fcarcely fufficient left 

 for conducing us hack to the entrance, and we were obliged to ufe 

 difpatch in regaining it, for fear of rambling into fome one of tiie 

 numerous paffages opening to the right and left, where, puzzled 

 with mazes and perplexed with errors, we might have rambled 

 Vol. II. O 2 on 



