Kentucky Forests and Caves 



rubbish and dust. Escaped to the woods. Came 

 to the region of caves. At the mouth of the first 

 I discovered, I was surprised to find ferns which 

 belonged to the coolest nooks of Wisconsin and 

 northward, but soon observed that each cave 

 rim has a zone of climate peculiar to itself, and 

 it is always cool. This cave had an opening 

 about ten feet in diameter, and twenty-five 

 feet perpendicular depth. A strong cold wind 

 issued from it and I could hear the sounds of 

 running water. A long pole was set against its 

 walls as if intended for a ladder, but in some 

 places it was slippery and smooth as a mast and 

 would test the climbing powers of a monkey. 

 The walls and rim of this natural reservoir were 

 finely carved and flowered. Bushes leaned over 

 it with shading leaves, and beautiful ferns and 

 mosses were in rows and sheets on its slopes 

 and shelves. Lingered here a long happy while, 

 pressing specimens and printing this beauty 

 into memory. 



Arrived about noon at Munfordville ; was 

 soon discovered and examined by Mr. Mun- 

 (71 



