126 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 



every turn. The Grand Stalactites comprise a series of stalactites 

 of all sizes, from those only as large as a penholder to others as 

 thick as an ordinary telegraph pole. It is impossible to mention 

 even the names of half the wonders of this underground fairy 

 land. Here " Lot's Wife," one of the finest white stalagmites 

 in the caves, stands in all her purity ; but unfortunately, like 

 many other sights, it is partially obscured by wire netting which 

 it has been found necessary to fix near special objects to keep 

 visitors' fingers from picking and stealing. The " Alabaster 

 Column," some 2 ft. in diameter ; " Nelly's Grotto," a pretty 

 little cavity guarded by a row of stalactites and stalagmites ; the 

 "Mysteries," where small stalactites standout at right angles; 

 the " Crystal Palace," the " Fairy Bower," and the " Vestry," 

 are more of the wonders of Nature, here seemingly outdoing one 

 another, so that it is hard to say which one prefers. In " The 

 Queen's Diamonds" the limestone has crystallized in most 

 beautn''ul forms on the wall of a little opening. The " Gem of 

 the West" once seen can never be forgotten — a bunch of the 

 purest needle-shaped stalactites, hanging from a projecting ledge. 

 Another beautiful sight is the " Fairies' Retreat," which can only 

 be visited by one person at a time crawling through a small 

 tunnel in the wall, but it is worth any amount of trouble — roof, 

 sides, floor, all covered with the purest brilliants reflecting the 

 light of the electric lamp from their thousand sides. Having 

 spent over two hours among these crystal palaces and weird 

 scenes we returned to outer air. We found the cave much drier 

 than we expected, though water could be seen dripping in many 

 places — this, I was somewhat surprised to find, had no taste of 

 lime. The guide said that no appreciable change in the size of 

 the stalactites, &c., has been noticed since the caves were first 

 discovered. I ought to mention that the Government have 

 spent a considerable amount of money in making the caves 

 easier for visitors by enlarging passages, building steps, con- 

 structing bridges, fixing ladders, &c., so that ladies and children 

 can go through most of them with comparative ease. Of course 

 great care has been taken not to damage any of the sights. The 

 temperature was very even, being about 63°, and there was no 

 oppressive feeling in walking along ; this must be due to cracks 

 and refts in the rocks leading to some of the numerous openings 

 in the hillsides, allowing free circulation of air, though at no 

 point did we feel any draught. 



On returning to Cave House we were much exercised as to 

 how to get another glimpse at the caves, as no person is allowed 

 in on Sunday, and we were timed to leave for Mount Victoria at 

 eight on Monday morning. However, on representing to Mr. F. 

 Wilson, who was then in charge, that we were the excursion party 

 from the Australian Association, and that it was through no fault 



