A TRIP TO THE CAVES OF GASPAR GRANDE 61 
est part, the formations are so joined reaching from roof to 
floor, as to suggest to the mind the pipes of an organ, and if 
one of them is struck with a stone it gives forth a very pass- 
able imitation of the bass notes of that instrument. High 
up on a small ledge above the large pool is a tiny figure some 
liken to “The Virgin,” and again on the side we descend from 
is “ The Altar.” 
Altogether there are three openings overhead, one is above 
our third picture, a very small one, and the rocks projecting 
out cut off the little light there is from that aperture, hence 
as we proceed further on, it is as black as night, and unless 
a lighted flambeau is at hand we would be in total darkness; 
in this spot, however, the rocks are white and shining, caused 
by the lack of moisture, for it is only in one part that there is 
any depth of water, it gradually getting shallower as we 
proceed, until all around is quite dry, for it is the constant 
dampness that causes the green and blue colours in the petri- 
factions at the other corners of the Cave. 
Our fourth picture represents the part of the Cave near 
the largest pool. There is really only one pool, but owing to 
the formation of the rocks, like Pelion upon Ossa piled, it is 
cut off in parts, and narrow passages just run between, 
causing some parts to be deep, and others very shallow, 
though the pool covers in its widest part a breadth of 40 ft., 
and extends toanas yet unknown length. Togive some idea 
of the size of the Cave, where the pool is narrowest there is a 
width of over 30 ft., and at its widest about 4 ft. breadth of 
rock high and dry, and yet one can only guess at its extent, 
for many of the rocks are so huge, and the formation, as our 
illustration shows, so curious, that it would be indeed difficult 
to estimate correctly. 
From the second largest opening above, the roots of some 
liane or tree have grown down straight and strong like large 
ropes, ten to twenty of them, and they are the only living 
things in that vast silence. 
From the largest shaft where the sun is sending its light 
down into the big pool, the Cave does not narrow down, but 
the mighty wall of rock comes right to the pool, just forming 
an archway about 12 ft. wide and g ft. high for the water to 
