466 H.. C. Hovey—Discoveries in Western Caves. 
it again recedes by a second opening. We followed its course 
through roomy halls rich in stalactites to a waterfall fifteen feet 
high, where the exploration terminated. The entire distance 
traversed was, by estimate, one mile and a half—a greater 
length than that of Wever's Cave. The credit * aeeet 
this Silwrian cavern belongs to Messrs. Monfort and Thom 
and as it is now for the first time described, it may ie phirees 
ately named the Hanover Cave. 
2. Sub-Carboniferous Caves.—The procedure of the brook 
described above is reversed in the case of Lost River, which, 
after receiving tributaries ee increasing in volume, flows into 
Orangeville, Indiana. These “rises” as they are called, are 
generally svahae by oe denoting the fall of superincumbent 
rocks ; at of them a small boat has been n put upon the 
stream, it bavieg been an d to be navigable for a long distance 
under ground. Lost River flows amid bluffs of the Saint Louis 
group, carved by erosion into numerous ravines and sink-holes, 
and the latter so thoroughly underdrain the Ha as to cause 
a remarkable absence of springs, brooks and pon 
These phenomena are instructive as to the aniscoe of ae 
aaa caves that honey-comb the Sub-carboniferous roc 
Kentucky and Southern Indiana. A compact and hom get 
ous ane varying from 25 feet to 440 feet in measured 
thickness, lies between the surface and the level of natural 
drainage, ‘subjec t to the dissolving and eroding action of run- 
ning water. The result, in time, is a succession of arches, 
galleries and avenues, presenting wonderful and grotesque 
combinations to the explorer when the stream that has caused 
them is withdrawn to some other channel. The slow trickling 
of limewater furnishes materials for the growth of stalactites 
that tend to gradually close up and obliterate these deserte 
halls. Should Lost River find another channel, the cave which 
would remain might equal in proportions any hitherto dis- 
covered. There are no doubt numerous unexplored and name- 
less caves that would richly reward those whose love 0 
adventure should lead them to follow out their ramifications. 
Professor Shaler estimates that, in Kentucky, “there are at 
the conclusion that there are thousands of miles of such sub- 
terranean avenues beneath the same formation in Indiana. Yet 
the public should be cautious in yielding credence to cave 
stories. Articles appeared in Louisville papers less than @ 
year ago, and were copied and believed in this country, and 
