46 



HiSTOKY OF 



several hundred yards above him ; the sides of which correspond 

 so exactly with each other, they evidently seem torn asunder. 



But these chasms, to be found in the Alps, are nothing to what 

 O vale tells us are to be seen in the An des. These amazing moun- 

 tains, in comparison of which the former are but little hills, have 

 theii' fissures in proportion to theirgreatness. In some places they 

 are a mile vnde, and deep in proportion ; and there are some others, 

 that, running under ground, in extent resemble a province. 



Of this kind also is that cavern called Eldenkole, in Derby- 

 shire, which Dt Plott tells us, was sounded by a line of eight 

 and twenty hundred feet, without finding the bottom or 

 meeting with water : and yet the mouth at the top is not above 

 forty yards over.' This immeasiu-able cavern runs perpendicu- 

 larly downward ; and the sides of it seem to tally so plainly as 

 to show that they were once united. Those who come to visit the 

 place, generally procure stones to be thrown into its mouth ; and 

 these are heard for several miimtes, falling and striking against 

 the sides of the cavern, producing a sound that resembles distant 

 thunder, dying away as the stone goes deeper.* 



Of this kind also is that dreadful cavern described by Elian j 

 his account of which the reader may not have met with.^ " In 

 the country of the Arrian Indians, is to be seen an amazing chasm, 

 which is called, The Gulph of Pluto. The depth and the re- 

 cesses of this horrid place are as extensive as they are un- 

 known. Neither the natives, nor the curious who visit it, are 

 able to tell how it was first made, or to what depths it descends. 

 The Indians continually drive thither great multitudes of ani- 

 mals, more than three thousand at a time, of different kinds, 

 sheep, horses, and goats ; and, with an absurd superstition, force 

 them into the cavity, from whence they never return. Their 

 several sounds, however, are heard as they descend j the bleating 

 of sheep, the lowing of oxen, and the neighing of horses, issuing 



1 Phil. Trans, vol. iL 370. 

 * Dr Plott has exaggerated the width and depth of this fearful cavern. Mr 

 Lloyd, who de.scended into it, found its depth to be 186 feet. Its mr)ulh 

 is 20 feet wide one way, and fifty another. He found it tu consist of two 

 compartments, the first was in shape like an oven, the other resembled the 

 dome of a glass-house furnace. Mr Lloyd says, from its roof were hanging 

 stalactites, from wliich circumstance we may conclude, that it occurs in n 

 Sine-stone rock. 



2 ^liani Var. Hist. lib. xvi. cap. !G- 



