430 Kain on Caves, 



in my preceding communication. Indeed we may say, without 

 danger of exaggeration, that the range of Alleghany Mountains 

 presents a variety of the most curious features, and many ob- 

 jects of beauty and sublimity. I have noticed a few of the 

 TOOst prominent, but " the half is not told." 



Extract of a Letter, ^c. 



Knoxville, J^ov. 24, 1818. 



I WAS on a visit to a friend a few days since, about 30 miles 

 to the north of this, and was invited by him to visit an inter- 

 esting curiosity in the neighbourhood. We crossed the Clynch 

 River where it is much confined by mountains, and banks as 

 high as mountains. Our guide conducted us to the foot of a 

 steep declivity, where we left our horses, and with some diffi- 

 culty ascended about 70 yards. Here we came to the mouth 

 of a cave which had been stopped up by a stone wall. The 

 wall was made of limestone and mortar, which is now harder 

 than the stone itself. It is, without a doubt, artificial, for be- 

 sides the evidence afforded by its structure, it contains bones 

 and animal remains. 



What was this wall built for ? There was a tradition among 

 the inhabitants that it contained money, and they were much 

 disappointed on opening it, not to find any. Like other caves, 

 it contains a variety of calcareous concretions, and I obtained 

 some fine specimens of brown spar, which I will take the first 

 opportunity to send you. 



I remain your Friend, 



JOHN H. KAIN. 



N. B. This wall is 10 feet thick. 



