CHAP. VIII. INTERIOR OF THE CANGO CAVERNS. 201 



inverted apex indicated that the beautiful stalactite was still 

 receiving fresh additions to its size and form. Sometimes I 

 noticed small marble-like circles on the floor, at others the 

 pyramid rose several feet high, its summit presenting a 

 thimble-shaped cup filled with water, which, overflowing, 

 spread down the sides. In some parts the crystallisations 

 above and below appeared to have no connection, but in 

 others the upper and lower formations appeared to be imme- 

 diately one over the other, the lower structure being formed 

 by the lime-impregnated water, dripping from the centre of 

 the stalactite above. At times they had approached within a 

 few feet of each other, and some were so united as to exhibit 

 the form of a gigantic hour-glass, cut with exquisite sharp- 

 ness, and with endless variety of figure. Besides the water 

 dropping constantly from the roof, there were frequent cis- 

 terns or hollows in the sides or floors of the grottoes, like 

 pure alabaster baths, filled with water so transparent that 

 several of us stepped more than ankle deep into them, with- 

 out perceiving anything but the coral-like stalagmite at the 

 bottom. The water was cold and perfectly tasteless. In 

 many of the chambers I observed names, and dates of the 

 visits of parties, some of high rank and station, either cut in 

 the rock, or written in pencil on the walls. At length, after 

 having been two hours in the cavern, we reached the spacious 

 gallery, said to be 800 feet in length, and designated the 

 Thompson gallery, from its having been first explored by a 

 gentleman of that name about thirty years ago. From this 

 point we retraced our steps, visiting, on our way back, several 

 small and exceedingly beautiful grottoes, situated along the 

 sides of those by which we had passed on our way into the 

 cavern. 



On reaching the mountain side we proceeded to the house 

 of a neighbouring boer, who had acted as our guide, and 

 after a short rest pursued our difficult way through the 



