THE GORGES — FALL CREEK RAVINE. 77 



motive force to the University machine shops on the 

 edge of the woody precipice two hundred feet above. 

 Over the stream a little above the brink of the fall a 

 swinging foot bridge is suspended on wires and connects 

 with an interminable flight of wooden steps leading up 

 the south side of the ravine to the University. From 

 the bridge to the upper entrance of the gorge the creek 

 quietly winds its romantic way under the shade of 

 beetling cliffs and leafy bowers, and receives the name 

 of "Sylvan Stream." The path is nearly at the water's 

 level and follows parallel to the margin through grassy 

 beds and forest shades. 



As the head of the glen is approached the overhang- 

 ing cliffs again close in, then sweep around in another 

 great amphitheatre. The south wall is smooth and verti- 

 cal ; and from its crest here and there over-reaching 

 crags project out above the abyss and afford unsurpassed 

 points of observation. 



Through a narrow passage at the head of this 

 "Coliseum," the entire waters of the stream pour over a 

 shelf of rock in one unbroken fall, thirty-five feet in 

 height. The gracefully curved walls of the amphitheatre 

 reflect and redouble the thunderous rumble of the cas- 

 cade until it becomes deafening. A heavy beating as 

 of a mighty pulse, clearly distinguishable in the midst 

 of the uproar, gives the cataract the name of "Trip- 

 hammer Fall." 



From the bed of the creek a spiral staircase leads 

 to the bank above. Until recently a bridge spanned 

 the chasm over the crest of the fall. Above the Trip- 



