PICKE TTS SIL URIA N CA VE. 9 



hall about 200 feet long, decorated with a profusion of stalactitic formations, in 

 some instances translucent, and in others varying in color from red lo pure white, 

 sometimes coated by delicate frost-work. 



A canopy was observed on one side of this hall perforated by the rotary ac- 

 tion of water, near which was a pit partly filled, on whose sides there were singu- 

 lar markings caused by calcareous deposit from the evaporation of water. 



Crawling for thirty feet through an " auger hole," admittance was gained to 

 a seri'es of rooms containing many curious and beautiful objects, including a set 

 of musical stalactites. 



Through a deep pit they descended by means of a rope into other apart- 

 ments; while to reach others still, they had, to climb steep acclivities, or worm 

 their way through passages nearly filled with debris or obliterated by dripstone. 



Forty rooms in all have thus far been explored \ and, according to the account 

 given, the attractions increase as exploration penetrates the mountain side. Shin- 

 ing crystals, tufts of satiny fiber, slender arms mimicking growths of coral, rams' 

 horns twisted and intertwined in every conceivable way, pillars and pendants, 

 statuettes and grotesque resemblances of life, are among the charms of these en- 

 chanted halls. 



Vandals have, of course, despoiled the rooms first opened, and the discover- 

 ers had a right to take a {q.^^ choice specimens to be placed in college cabinets, 

 where they could be seen by the public. But now we are pleased to see that the 

 rules forbid any one taking specimens, or even entering unaccompanied by a 

 guide. 



It is stated that "after entering the cave it takes about two miles of travel 

 to explore every part of it." But the proprietors are building stairways and en- 

 larging the narrow places, so as to enable visitors to go the round without serious 

 fatigue. They promise also to improve the wagon road to a point near the cave, 

 and to make steps up the wall of the canon, to facilitate the ascent of nearly 200 

 feet that has to be made at an angle of 40*^ to gain the entrance to this subter- 

 ranean realm. 



If Pickett's Cave is, as I infer, excavated from Silurian limstone, that itself is 

 a remarkable circumstance ; for some of the most celebrated geologists in America 

 have recently expressed " grave doubts whether in a single case Silurian caves 

 extend much beyond the light of day." I have, in previous articles in the 

 Scientific American, referred to Hanover Cave, a mile and a half long, and Howe's 

 Cave, three miles long — both of them Silurian caves; and now we may add 

 Pickett's Cave, said to be two miles in length. 



It must be admitted that such cases are exceptional, the rule being that 

 most Silurian caves, at least such as I have examined, are considerably wider at 

 their entrance than at any point within. 



It also remams to be ascertained if Pickett's Cave really is in Silurian rocks, 

 or pierces through to the Carboniferous formation, famous the world over for its 

 cavernous structure. 



Further particulars may be given as new discoveries are made. But it can_ 



