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of the ceiling, in various sizes and forms. On the floors of these 

 caverns, also, the repeated drops as they fall, deposit their solid 

 matter in sta'lagmitic heaps ; which rising by the gradual, but con- 

 stant accretion of fresh matter, acquire frequently a considerable 

 degree of magnitude, and assume various fantastic forms. On every 

 part of the sides, also, the trickling drops deposit innumerable mi- 

 nute crystals i and here also, from the same source, numerous sta- 

 lactites become disposed in an arrangement, more approaching to 

 regularity. 



The entrance to a cavern of this kind, is, jn general, by a narrow 

 opening, beset on every side by stirice, formed by the exuding spa- 

 those matter; -and which, if not interrupted in its accumulation, 

 would entirely close the opening. On passing this, and arriving at 

 the cave itself, the mind is almost overpowered by astonishment 

 at the novel scene. The ceiling appears to be supported by columns 

 of the most pleasing colour and elegant shapes, formed by the union 

 of opposite stalactites and stalagmites : whilst others are seen in 

 various degrees of approximation to each other, and assuming the 

 most strange and uncouth shapes. Some hang from the roof, in the 

 form of an inverted cone ; some spread out in branches, not much 

 unlike those of a chandelier ; whilst others form in slender and al- 

 most transparent tubes, reaching nearly to the bottom. From the 

 floor numerous rugged pyramids arise, intermingled with various 

 figures, to which fancy attributes some strange and unexpected re- 

 semblance, such as to altars, animals, trunks of trees, &c. The 

 ornaments on the sides render the effect on the mind, of this seeming 

 magic scenery, complete. The light of the torches employed in 

 these subterranean explorements is reflected in myriads of bril- 

 liant sparks, from the crystalline surface with which the walls are 

 covered; whilst globular excrescences of yellow spar give the ap- 

 pearance of balls of gold, projecting from a white, and sparkling 

 ground of diamonds. Frequently the slender stalactites, mentioned 



