230 BULLETIN OF THE 



" On my first visit, the water being low, no crayfish were seen in the dark 

 nook, the place favored by the fish. After the storm which had flooded the 

 caves, a few were found there. Though I watched for some time, I never saw 

 them pursue the fishes, as they might easily have done, guided by the stir in 

 the water. Both creatures are very sensitive to the slightest ripple. During 

 high water, a pool, • the lake,' is formed, a little way from the stream in an- 

 other dark part of this cave. In low water the pool is cut off from the creek. 

 I found both species in it, the fish in the darkest part, and saw no signs of 

 enmity. Most of the crayfish were found in the lower part of the stream, in 

 the twilight; the fishes could not be found without the lantern. At the time 

 of the floods, the cave is full, and the water rushes out furiously. . . . An- 

 other proof that the crayfish are more fond of the light is seen in the shallower 

 wells. That from which most were taken was more exposed to the sun. At 

 noon, when the light was more favorable, we could see them swimming about. 

 No fishes have been taken from this well. They were taken in the narrower 

 more shaded wells, of which the deep ones on the hills report fishes only. 



" As to the food of the fishes, I discovered nothing. The mud where they 

 were was not so deep as farther down. An examination of it the length of 

 the cave brought to light many snails ; the shells of the living ones are whiter 

 and more nearly transparent than the floating dead ones. The largest crayfish 

 are of a dirty rusty color, and very bristly, in caves and in wells. One large 

 one is very soft and very white; no doubt it is newly moulted. 



" Both fish and crayfish were less numerous after the freshet, and apparently 

 less active. The disturbance of the flood may have caused them to retreat 

 into their hiding places, only the weaker being left behind, or some may 

 have been swept away by the torrent. The sensitive creatures would soon 

 die in the light and heat outside, where the water is full of frogs and eyed- 

 crayfisb.es. . . . The specimens become opaque when they are put into alco- 

 hol ; they are almost transparent when alive, so much so that the action of 

 their internal organs can be observed. Repeated tests assured me the animals 

 were blind, though very sensitive to the sunlight. They died soon after catch- 

 ing, even in water frequently changed. 



" The insects of the collection were taken in the lower part of the stream, 

 near the mouth of the cave. They are similar to, if not identical with, others 

 found in all the spring streams of this vicinity. They are very lively on the 

 surface of the water, constantly rippling it. I think the crayfish eat them, but 

 have no positive proof. On my first visit, insects and crayfish were very nu- 

 merous at this place. The latter were darting up towards the former. We 

 thought we could detect a faint odor about the insects (water spiders) that 

 might help to guide their enemies, but the vibration of the water would be 

 sufficient. 



" Two aquatic and two terrestrial salamanders taken in this cave are in the 

 collection ; they are not peculiar to the cave. Some nearly a foot long are in 

 the creek outside." 



