226 STALACTITES. 



forms which presented a glittering appearance, 

 as the light from the torches fell upon them. A 

 number of a small species of bat, disturbed by 

 our presence in their dark retreat, flew about, 

 and we captured many of them : several of their 

 skeletons pending from the rocks, indicated that 

 it afforded them a mausoleum, as well as a 

 retreat during life. 



As we proceeded, the cavern became more 

 lofty and expansive ; but although able, from 

 the elevation, to walk erect, we were obliged to 

 take care of occasional projections from the rocks 

 on each side. As the light from the torches fell 

 upon the white glittering fantastic forms of the 

 stalactites which hung from the roofs and covered 

 the sides, the effect was highly pleasing. We 

 came at last to a descent of fine loose earth, in 

 which some wombats had been burrowing, and 

 much care was necessary to avoid falling into 

 the gaping entrances. The descent having been 

 effected, we found ourselves in the most lofty, 

 beautiful, and spacious part of this extensive 

 cavern ; we termed it the " grand hall :" im- 

 mense masses of stalactites, (to which fancied 

 resemblance of forms had occasioned the names 

 of the altar, organ-pipes, &c., to be given,) 

 had a beautiful appearance : enormous pending 



