Kentucky Forests and Caves 



precious time with weeds, caves, fossils, or any- 

 thing else that he could not eat. 



Arrived at the great Mammoth Cave. I was 

 surprised to find it in so complete naturalness. 

 A large hotel with fine walks and gardens is 

 near it. But fortunately the cave has been un- 

 improved, and were it not for the narrow trail 

 that leads down the glen to its door, one would 

 not know that it had been visited. There are 

 house-rooms and halls whose entrances give 

 but slight hint of their grandeur. And so also 

 this magnificent hall in the mineral kingdom of 

 Kentucky has a door comparatively small and 

 unpromising. One might pass within a few 

 yards of it without noticing it. A strong cool 

 breeze issues constantly from it, creating a 

 northern climate for the ferns that adorn its 

 rocky front. 



I never before saw Nature's grandeur in so 

 abrupt contrast with paltry artificial gardens. 

 The fashionable hotel grounds are in exact 

 parlor taste, with many a beautiful plant cul- 

 tivated to deformity, and arranged in strict 

 [II ] 



