200 ON THE WAMBEYAN CAVES, 



it is fortunately lighted from both ends the opposite end having* 

 fallen in and opened the end of the cave, from one of those pecu- 

 liar funnel-shaped holes seen in most limestone countries and 

 very common here. The height of this cave is, I believe, about 

 one hundred and twenty feet ; and it is about 400 feet long. The 

 floor, on the left side of which the stream of water continues its 

 course, is covered with large broken masses of stone ; which I 

 believe have rolled in from the far end, in some places covered 

 with a green conferva, in others with a pink kind of lichen. The 

 roof, which is also tinged with this peculiar lichen, I believe only 

 since daylight has been so fully admitted, has suspended from it 

 long delicate stalactites, varying in form and beauty, some of im- 

 mense length, and the walls are studded with fluted columns, 

 between which are also hung delicate pieces resembling tapestry 

 and fringe. 



Between these columns are seen the openings of smaller 

 caverns, the haunts and homes of the Wallaby and the Bat. The 

 stream of water, when it enters the cave, is fully six feet wide, 

 but if followed to the right hand corner of the distant end it is 

 found to have dwindled away to a stream not six inches wide, 

 and now enters a dark gallery. In following out this gallery it 

 is necessary to use lights, and to prepare yourself for a wet and 

 slippery scramble, as deep pools of water now and then stop 

 your progress. I should advise any one wishing to see these 

 caves to advantage to take with them a good supply of wax 

 candles, a couple of dozen of blue lights, and a pole to feel your way 

 among the pools of water, which, however, in a dark subterranean 

 passage always appear more formidable than they really are. 



The first thing to attract your attention is the intense cold ; 

 and secondly, if well lighted, the magnificent effect of the lights 

 on the snow-white crystalline marble ; and thirdly, the difficulty 

 of finding the right way, for on all sides of this main gallery, 

 galleries of less size turn off, some of which have the appearance 

 of being the main course. However, if you advance in a straight 

 direction with the first cave for about 100 yards, the beauties of 

 the place increase, and here we had first displayed to us the 

 effects of our blue lights on the pure white crystalline stalactities 

 which hung round on all sides, This passage then bends to the 



