BOOK VI. 



CAVERNS AND GROTTOES. 



THE upheaval of large mountain chains frequently pro- 

 duces deep and winding caverns in their sides. In some 

 places there are really so many of these that the interior 

 seems to be only a succession of vast galleries, so rugged 

 and profound that the boldest man dare not attempt to 

 traverse them. This state of things is seen in the cavernous 

 Alps of Carniola, which present a considerable number of 

 water-courses in their recesses; indeed, these seem to be 

 more numerous in the bowels of the mountains than on the 

 surface of the ground. 



Some of these subterranean rivers are known to run 

 several leagues. They even nourish peculiar animals, which 

 never see the light, as, for instance, the Proteus, a singular 

 animal, provided with both lungs and branchiae, which thus 

 appears to combine all the attributes of an amphibious 

 being. 



Among the numerous grottoes which have been explored, 

 there is one, that of Antiparos [not far from Trieste], which 

 has become celebrated, not from its extent, but on account 

 of the excursion which Tournefort made to it during his 

 eastern travels. The entrance to it is narrow, and the de- 



