O STAFF A. GENERAL DESCRIPTION. 



rarely exceeding a foot in diameter. The beds of ho- 

 rizontal columns are sometimes placed on others in a 

 vertical or oblique position, or are in other modes im- 

 plicated with these. As the irregular columns approach 

 to the surface of the island, they gradually disappear 

 under the covering of soil; although indications of their 

 existence are still to be seen in several places where 

 they are laid bare; having the aspect of a pavement 

 where their ends are visible, or else displaying portions 

 of their parallel sides. 



There appears to be a gradual increase in the size 

 of the columns as we proceed along this shore; and 

 at the first cave which occurs, named the cave of the 

 scallop, or clam-shell, they are found to have undergone 

 a decided increase of diameter. The appearance of 

 those which surround the entrance of this cave is ex- 

 iceedingly remarkable, and the whole constitutes a subject 

 for the pencil, which has however too much of the 

 bizarre to deserve the name of picturesque. On one 

 side they are bent so as to form a series of ribs ; a 

 disposition which has given rise to the appellation 

 above mentioned, but has still more aptly been compared 

 to an inside view of the timbers of a ship. On the 

 other side, the wall which leads into the cave is con- 

 stituted by the ends of columns x having a resemblance 

 to the surface of a honey-comb. I should remark, that 

 the longest series of the bent columns has that twist 

 which mathematicians call a double curvature, the in- 

 curvation lying in two planes; and that a small series 

 is seen at the bottom, with their convexities opposed 

 to those of the upper one, which are turned obliquely 

 downwards. 



It is difficult, from the gradual manner in which 

 this cave commences, to determine on a point whence 

 to measure its dimensions. From that one which ap- 

 peared the best, I found it to be thirty feet in height, 

 arid sixteen or eighteen in breadth ; its length being 



