BOOK YI. 



CAVEENS AND GEOTTOES. 



The upheaval of large mountain chains frequently pro- 

 duces deep and Avinding caverns in their sides. In some 

 places there r^re really so many of these that the interior 

 seems to be only a succession of vast galleries, so rugged 

 and profound that the boldest man dare not attempt to 

 traverse them. This state of things is seen in the caveni- 

 ous Alps of Carniola, Avhich present a considerable num- 

 ber of water-courses in their recesses; indeed, these seem 

 to be more numerous in the bowels of the mountains than 

 on the surface of the ground. 



Some of these subterranean rivers are known to run 

 several leagues. They even nourish peculiar animals which 

 never see the light, as for instance the Proteus, a singular 

 animal provided with both lungs and branchios, which thus 

 appears to combine all the atti'ibutes of an amphibious 

 being. 



Among the numerous grottoes which have been ex- 

 plored there is one, that of Antiparos, which has become 

 celebrated, not from its extent, but on account of the ex- 

 cursion which Tournefort made to it during his eastern 

 travels. The entrance to it is narrow, and the descent 



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