686 THE UNIVERSE. 



is effected by means of a rope-ladder. " When we arrive 

 at the bottom," says the celebrated botanist, "we have to 

 creep some time among the rocks, sometimes on one's back, 

 sometimes on one's face, and after all this fatigue we at 

 last reach this celebrated grotto." It only presents an 



311. Proteus of the Suljterranean Elvers of Carniola— Proteus anguinus (Laureuti). 



extent of 900 feet in length and a width of 150; but on 

 every side the marble forms clustered pillars, is tAvisted into 

 columns like the trunks of trees, or hangs in numerous 

 stalactites which awaken every one's admiration. These 

 varied forms astonished Tournefort, and the view of them 

 recalled his favourite hypothesis, the dissemination of life. 

 " It seems," he said, " as if these marble trunks vegetate " 

 And further on, perceiving the altar with its beautiful 

 flutings of dazzling whiteness, he exclaimed, " This pyra- 



