146 ; REPORT—1858. 
peaks were sparkling like rubies in the setting sun; just at dusk we reached some 
large picta trees, and encamped for the night. Early in the morning we proceeded 
onward, when I saw, near the source of the Bascan, a very high peak, which had 
evidently been conical in form, and this had been torn asunder. One-half only was 
standing; the rent was curved, and the upper part overhanging. No snow could rest 
on this precipitous face, and the rocks appeared a dark purple. The snow that had 
been accumulating on this mountain for thousands of ages, was riven into perpen- 
dicular cliffs, 700 or 800 feet high, appearing like pentelic marble. We had now 
ascended about 1000 feet above the valley in which we had slept, and instead of rich 
grass we were on mossy turf, with the rhododendron and chrysanthemum creeping 
among the rocks, and covered with large bunches of beautiful yellow flowers. At 
length we reached enormous masses of green slate shooting up into high pinnacles; 
passing round these, we came upon a scene of terrible disruption and desolation, where 
rocks had been uprooted and hurled down into one chaotic mass, of a most fearful 
effect; extending to the brink of a vast rent that had cut the mountain asunder. A 
terrible convulsion must have taken place here. I had felt the heaving of the ground 
during an earthquake when in a valley to the westward, and had listened to the awful 
sound as it approached, deep in the bowels of the earth, and had apparently passed 
beneath me. I had heard the appalling subterraneous thunder as it rolled through 
the mountain,—now I beheld the terrific effects of one of these fearful visitations. 
Beyond this point the horses could not go; we dined, and our friends returned to 
their aoul. 
The guide, two Cossacks, and myself began to descend, clinging as well as we 
could to the projecting points, till we gained a narrow ledge extending along a pre- 
cipice : the guide led the way to a break in the rocks. Here a part of the cliffs had 
fallen, forming a stony slope, both steep and dangerous. After some slips and bruises 
we reached another small terrace, covered with bushes and plants. Continuing our 
way downward, and scrambling over many difficulties, we reached tne bottom of the 
gorge, whose sides were 1000 to 1200 feet high. Following this ravine we reached 
a deep valley, about fifteen miles long and four miles wide, surrounded by mountains 
varying from 5000 to 7000 feet in height. This had been a deep mountain lake, 
proved beyond all doubt by the sand and shells spread over its bed. I also found the 
water line on the cliffs, showing that the depth was 560 feet. 
Nearly opposite to the gorge by which we had entered there was another in the 
mountains to the north. On reaching it I found this was also a deep and narrow 
yavine, and no doubt formed by the earthquake ; through this the water had rushed, 
draining the lake, and had formed the great water-course on the plain. We shortly 
entered the chasm, which I found was about 120 yards wide, covered with fallen 
rocks, among which a torrent was foaming with great fury. Our way was a rough 
and dangerous one; sometimes several hundred feet above the stream, and then 
descending nearly to the level of the water. At last we reached a spot beyond which 
to all appearance we could not proceed. We were now a little above the torrent, 
which was hidden from our view, and close in front of us the rocks rose up like a walk 
to an enormous height. A loud roaring of the water was heard, which induced me 
to suppose it was rolling over a deep fall. The old guide told me it was Shaitan’s 
cavern swallowing up the river. ‘The mouth of the cavern was formed by a rugged 
arch about 50 feet wide and 70 feet high. The river entered this opening in a chan~ 
nel cut into the solid rock ; it was about 30 feet wide and 10 feet deep. A ledge of 
rocks, about 12 feet wide, formed a terrace along the edge of the stream, and just above 
the level of the water. When my astonishment had somewhat subsided, I prepared 
to explore the cavern by placing my packet of baggage and my rifle on a rock, and 
the two Cossacks followed my example. The guide watched these proceedings with 
great interest, but when he beheld us enter the cavern he was horrified. Having pro- 
ceeded about twenty paces the noise caused by the falling water was fearful, and a 
cold chilling blast met us. From this point the cavern extended both im width and 
height, but I could form no idea of its dimensions. We cautiously groped our way 
on in the gloom for about eighty yards from the entrance, when we could see the river 
bound into: a terrifie abyss— black, as Erebus,”—while some white vapour came: 
wreathing up, giving the spot 2. most supernatural appearance. Few persons could 
stand on the brink of this gulf without a shudder ; the roaring of the.water was dread- 
