A TRIP TO THE CAVES OF CASPAR CRANDE 6i 



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 comers 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 to an as yet unknown length. To give 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 9 ft. high for the water to 



