18 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [B0ll. 76 



same arrangement. A number following the name of a cave refers 

 to its position as denoted bv a corresponding number on the map 

 (pi. 3). 



THE UPPER CURRENT RIVER 



A number of well-known caverns, some of them quite extensive, 

 exist along the head streams forming the Current River. As origi- 

 nally planned, the work included a thorough survey of this region, 

 but owing to various causes it was only partially examined. Several 

 large caves were reported as being along the river and its tributaries 

 farther down than these researches were carried. Notable is one 

 opposite the mouth of Sinkin Creek, which was described as dry and 

 very large within ; but it was also stated that it can only be entered 

 through a sink hole with the aid of a ladder or pole 30 feet long. 

 Such a cave is not likely to have been used for shelter. Others, as 

 they were described, seemed equally unfitted for this purpose. The 

 only exception to this general rule is one in Spring Valley south of 

 the Current and east of Sinkin. 



Such as were visited will be described in their geographical order. 



SHANNON COUNTY 



BAT CAVE ( 1 ) 



This cavern is 6 miles above the mouth of Sinkin, It is near the 

 top of a cliff, fully 300 feet above the river. The entrance is 30 

 feet wide. and 10 feet high; within is a level earth-covered floor. 

 Being very difficult of access, it was probably never inhabited. 



BLUE SPRING, OR FISHING CAVE ( 1 ) 



This is situated on the Terrell land, 4 miles below Akers post office. 

 The entrance, 10 feet high and 20 feet wide, is almost at low-water 

 level; the river at flood height rises fully 20 feet above its top. 

 Fifty feet within is a spring or well, 20 feet across, whose bottom 

 is beyond the reach of a line 60 feet long. It is said that eyeless fish 

 of 3 pounds weight have been caught in this " Blue Spring." 



Welch's ca\t: 



This is 4 miles below Cedar Grove. It can be entered only in a 

 boat, and the entire floor is deeply covered with soft mud. 



BIG creek cave 



There is a cave at the mouth of Big Creek which is often used as 

 a temporary camping place by hunters and fishermen. The water 



