ON THE EXPLORATION OF KENT'S CAVERN, DEVONSHIRE. 141 



Cunliffe, M. R. Currie, W. Curtis, G. Doe, G. Ferrand, B. Fox, F.W. Fox, 

 S Hauo-'hton (Ceylon), G. J. Hinde (Canada), B. C.Hobbs (Indiana, U.S.), 

 C S. Hockin, W. Jones, T. G. B. Lennard, W. Medlicotfc, W. Parker, 

 A. C. Pass, A. Pengelly (Punjab), R. Perks, W. Perks, H. W. Reynolds, 

 T. W. U. Robinson, E. W. Sraithson, H. Rowe, W. Russell, J. W. Wilson, 

 W. Wilson, and J. E. Wolfe. 



In addition to visitors accompanied by a Superintendent, a large 

 number bave been admitted by the autborised guide, under clearly- 

 defined and well-observed regulations. 



Financial. — During tbe year the following contributions towards the 

 funds for carrying on the work were handed to the Secretary : — Mr. 

 Gerard Ferrand, 5/.; Rev. Canon Greenwell, M.A., F.R.S., F.S.A., 1Z. ; 

 Mr. T. W. U. Robinson, F.G.S., 11. 



Living Animals still frequenting the Cavern. — As in previous years, the 

 workmen have frequently seen rats in the innermost recesses of the 

 Cavern, and during the twelve months eleven were taken in a gin placed 

 on a rock at the remotest point of the ' Cave of Inscriptions,' fully 380 

 feet from open day. It may probably be presumed that they were at- 

 tracted by the droppings of the workmen's candles. 



The High Chamber. — When the Fourteenth Report was closed (July 

 31, 1878), the workmen were engaged in excavating the deposits in a 

 branch of the Cavern termed the ' High Chamber,' into which they had 

 then penetrated about thirty feet from its entrance, that is, its junction 

 with the Cave of Inscriptions, out of which it opens (see Report, British 

 Association, 1878, p. 128). This work was continued without intermission 

 until its completion on January 9, 1879, when the High Chamber was 

 found to extend in a north-westerly direction for a distance of about 

 53 feet, to vary in width from 5 to 10 feet, and in height from 14 feet 

 at the outer to 8 feet at the inner end, the measurements being made for 

 the width at the top of the mechanical deposit, and for the height from 

 the roof to the bottom of the excavation, which, however, did not reach a 

 limestone bottom. 



At its inner or north-western end the High Chamber sends off two 

 branches, one towards the north and the other towards the south. The 

 northern branch was excavated for a distance of 12 feet, where, though 

 the end was not reached, the work was abandoned, for the deposit — 

 breccia, blocks of limestone, and crystalline stalagmite — reached the 

 roof, and was so compact as to bar all further progress, except by the 

 expenditure of a very large amount of time and money. This branch, 

 which varied from 5 to 7 feet wide, may be regarded as a portion of the 

 High Chamber. How far it extends, and whither it leads, are questions 

 for speculation merely. 



The exploration of the southern branch presented fewer difficulties, 

 and was much more successful. This branch will be subsequently de- 

 scribed under the name of the ' Swallow Gallery.' 



The roof of the High Chamber throughout the outermost half of its 

 length shows distinct traces of the long-continued action of running 

 water, but beyond that distance it has an angular and less ancient aspect, 

 due, no doubt, to the comparatively recent fall of the masses of limestone 

 which occupied the floor, whilst at the inner end it was much shivered. 



