Ix. CHEDDAR, WELLS, AND GLASTONBURY. 



for many years, and observing the processes in every cavern 

 which he knew, he had come to the conclusion that it was mainly 

 a matter of temperature. The rainfall above had a certain degree 

 of warmth which it lost immediately it passed below the surface 

 of the earth, and that lowering of temperature prevented the 

 water from holding up so much carbonate of lime in solution ; 

 and thus it was precipitated in this crystalline form to which the 

 caverns owed their beauty and fantastic adornment. Where on 

 the other hand evaporation had taken place they got a pulpy 

 tufa, and not a crystalline carbonate of lime. 



Mr. ALFRED POPE enquired if the water had any petrifying 

 power, that is, whether if the dead body of any animal was placed 

 beneath a dripping stalactite, it would in process of time be 

 converted into a strong resemblance of itself, as was the case 

 with the petrifying wells at Royat-les-Bains, near Vichy, and 

 other places on the Continent. 



Mr. BALCH answered that, although the water might have the 

 same chemical nature, yet the rate of deposit made considerable 

 difference. With a rapid deposit, as at the wells on these 

 Continent, one had precipitation ; but here crystallisation. An 

 animal body would not, therefore, be petrified. 



Having seen the stalactites the party were, before leaving, 

 given proof alike of their strength and of the musical sound 

 which they are capable of producing. On being struck with a 

 crowbar two stalactites uttered deep, resonant bell-like notes, 

 but of different tones. 



From Cox's Cave the party walked the short distance up the 

 village to the much larger caves owned by Messrs. Gough. At 

 the entrance they saw the human skull, which was found in 

 December, 1903, in what was called the New Cave, probably 

 Palaeolithic, between two thick stalagmite floors in company with 

 flint tools. The Members also inspected the animal remains 

 bones of the rhinoceros, hyaena, bear, &c., and the coins and 

 other objects found in the mouth of the cavern. 



Leaving the caves, the party traversed a good part of the 

 Gorge, surveying the precipitous limestone cliffs. 



