Grotto, 
Grotto, in 
the island 
of Skye, 
528 © 
tor’ examines them, are reflected from a’ thousand glit- 
tering points. Many ofthe surrounding objects, form- 
ed by the calcareous depositions, are compared to ani- 
* mate and inanimate substances of various descriptions. 
To the right is the resemblance of a monk, as if kneel- 
ing on a cushion, with uplifted hands, and large as life. 
Behind it appear several semblances of busts ; and at a 
distance are seen the images of various animals, together 
with an exact representation of a fleece. But among the 
whole, the monk excites the greatest attention. The 
head is bare, after the monastic fashion ; the face is sup+ 
posed to be distinct ; the shoulders are in just propor- 
tion; and the drapery of the robe enveloping the body 
is alike beautiful and correct. Figures of vegetables are 
every where formed ; and numerous columns, some ap- 
parently supported by distorted beings, seem to sustain 
the roof, which resembles a pure white cloud suspended 
in the air. Portions of it; however, descend in stalac- 
tites ; which, together with the crystals in the interstices 
of the columns, emit fine coruscations from the lights 
below. 
Another rugged declivity, similar to that which con- 
dacted the spectator to the cave, leads down tothe pool, 
which is sixty-five feet in circuit, five feet deep, and of 
cooler temperature than the externalatmosphere. It re- 
sembles a large marble bath of pellucid water, the bot- 
tom and sides being of the purest white. It occupies 
so much of the base of the grotto, that a person can- 
not walk round it. On its margin the spectator finds 
himself standing in a magnificent apartment, Mer 
l 
.consisting of the most brilliant spar glittering on 
sides, and emitting myriads:of rays, which are reflected 
from the bottom of the pool. In some grottos and ca- 
verns of other countries, there is a constant supply of 
water; which is generally discharged by a stream run- 
ning towards the entrance ; but here there is no visible 
outlet, and the quantity of water in this reservoir is 
not observed to decrease. Crossing the pool on a 
plank, a gallery of _ height, but only three feet 
wide, is found, which leads to farther passages imper- 
fectly explored. Its entrance is formed by two large 
columns of pure spar; that on the left of rustic con- 
formation, six feet in circumference, and sixteen high; 
but that on the right rather resembles a work of art. 
It is of more surprising structure, and more elegant 
“p ance, than any of the figures which the spar of 
1s grotto has assumed. The shaft is twenty feet in 
~ length, nearly cylindrical, and its thickness in general 
about two feet and a half. It stands on a regular cir- 
cular base rising from the floor, and projecting about 
twelve inches round its. circumference. A series of 
sections seems to constitute the whole column, eaclt 
twenty-two inches in length, and divisible into two 
distinct portions; the upper one being a crystallized 
mass of stalactites, while, inits general aspect, the under 
part resembles the foliated carvings of the Corinthian 
or Composite capital inverted. On more minute inspec- 
tion, this division is found to display the most methodi- 
cal arrangement of structure, inthe formation and in- 
sertion of the foliage of sparry concretion ; and the in- 
terstices of the leaves are of such dimensions, as to ad« 
mit of complete inspection of the interior of the co- 
lumn, which proves a combination of the same foliated 
incrustations as the exterior. Passing by these pillars, 
the width of the gallery is somewhat enlarged, the sides 
still exposing elegant and numberless crystals, emitting 
a dazzling lustre. The floor also is of’ white marble, 
but of more singular conformation than in any other 
part of the cavity. Part of it rising from the rest re- 
sembles a piece of lace, and consists of many  concres 
GROATD) (6 2a ae 
other isfquite smooth, and ,¢ 
tions on one side, while the 
entirely covered with shining ery 
interstices of which are full of water... These beautiful 
productions abruptly cease at the distance of about 250 
feet from the mouth of the cave, and the bare black — 
rock is exposed. Although farther recesses exist, they 
have not yet been explored. hue tho 4eee 
Several singularities re, this remarkable grotto 
being peculiarly interesting, ought not to be overlooked, 
Its formation is concluded to have resulted from the 
separation of immense dykes of whinstone, while frees 
stone constitutes both the floor and the roof. Al+ 
though no considerable stratum. of limestone is seen in 
the neighbourhood, there is a prodigious accumulation 
of spar entirely calcareous within, The erystallizas 
tions are of the most complete kind, free from every im 
perfection, and white and beautiful. Water is 
exuding from the whole roof; and it is likewise uni- 
versally suffused over the incrusted surface of the 
spar, which is alwaysmoist tothe touch, But this hu- 
midity augments the brilliancy of the coruscations, and — 
is the source of the water contained in the marble cis- 
tern. The endless’ variety in which the sparry incrusta+ 
tions appear, is one of the greatest ornaments of the 
grotto ; and the infinite combinations and modifications 
of it are alike brilliant and interesting. Sometimes 
it is disposed in foliage or flowers; sometimes in 
busts or columns; and the interior, of tubulated sta- 
lactites, is studded with innumerable crystals con- 
verging towards the centre. It may seem idle to speak 
of traditions of the ninth century, but we shall only 
observe in illustration of the name Slochd Aliriman or 
the Nursling Cave, thatit is said to have afforded refi 
to a youthful female, who had become the victim of a 
feud which estranged the parents of her and her lovér, 
the young chief of Colonsay. Separated from him, she 
was delivered of a son, who was carried to Slochd Altri= 
man, whither his. mother retired to nurse his infancy; 
and thence the name of Nursling Cave. , 
On the 17th of March 1775, the Rev. 
ions, the waved “== 
the is 
by 
Mr Newns Penp 
ham, a young clergyman of Bristol cathedral, ac- Hole. 
eompanied’ by a gentleman and two ladies, went to 
visit a chasm in the ground called Penpark Hole, 
about three miles from that city. Wishing to sound 
its depth with a line, he advanced a short way into 
the upper part of the opening declivity, which is 
not steep, in order to give it a freer cast, and, for 
greater security, held by the twig of a tree, ing 
across the chasm, Unhappily, in accomplishing this, 
his feet slipped, owingto the humidity of the 
he was precipitated headlong into a frightful abyss, be« 
fore the eyes of his terrified companions. An accident 
so distressing, gave birth to many speculations oe 
ing the caverns where it had hap > parti y 
as the body of the sufferer was long the object of a 
fruitless search ; but at last some hardy adventurers 
having resolved on descending, discovered a great ace 
cumulation of water at the bottom, and a stone thrown 
down being interrupted in its falt, disclosed the spot 
where the body still floated, 39 days after the catastro= 
phe. It is difficult to explain the’ figure of this, 
or indeed of any other cavern, without drawings ; there= 
fore we shall briefly observe, that the access to Pens 
park Hole is by two separate chasms in the groand, 
leading by a declivity to the interior, After passing 
different lateral vacuities, one of which has a spacious 
vaulted roof, the adventurer reaches'the most extensive 
recess, branching into an oblong irr space, 225 
feet long, by 123 in width. Below it are other re- 
cesses, and the bottom of the whole, which, if we 
