254 
TOWNS, PRODUCTIVE INDUSTRY, ETC. 
now found in various parts of it. Among these is a massive 
wall, said to be several leagues in extent, built on the verge of 
a precipice, and reaching across a deep ravine which separates 
Guiengola from the main chain. Within the inclosure of this 
wall are the ruins of several houses built of small ledge-stone, 
and above these a bold, precipitous spur of perforated lime- 
stone. Near the summit of this, is a cave of small entrance 
and above seventy-five feet deep. From the roof of this cave 
are pendent stalactites of a brilliant snow-white color. These 
stalactites, when struck by a hard substance, make a musical 
sound similar to that of an organ, and are capable of producing 
as many different tones. 
A gentleman who explored this cave and the ruins, thus de- 
scribes his visit : 
" The general direction of the cave is downward at an angle of ^bout forty- 
five degrees. As far as we went there were several large openings, or rooms, 
with a level floor, and passages from one to the other, varying from three to 
eight feet in diameter. It has evidently at some period been inhabited, for we 
found several pieces of earthenware, some of which were in a perfect state of 
preservation. At sundown we arrived at the top of this precipice of lime- 
stone, and came to a valley running horizontally, one-fourth of a mile wide and 
about two miles in length, which ended in a deep rocky ravine to the left. In 
this valley we found a large temple built of small flat stone, solid throughout, 
and in quite a perfect state, with the exception of the lime with which it was 
originally plastered. Time has worn off the principal part of this. Here we 
camped for the night upon the top of the temple. Early in the morning I 
sent the guide and ' moza' for water, and we commenced our exploration of 
the valley. 
" The form of this temple is oblong, 33 feet high, at the base 105 feet long, 
90 feet wide ; at the top, 75 feet long, and 60 feet broad. There are four ter- 
races surrounding the work, making each terrace six and a quarter feet high, 
one above the other. There are steps fronting the valley 25 feet long, extend- 
ing to the top, also narrow steps at each end. The temple is at the side of a 
square inclosure which covers about two acres of ground, and surrounded by 
a wall 8 feet high and 12 feet broad. It is supposed that this structure was 
used for offering up sacrifices. Directly opposite, on the other side of the val- 
ley, we discovered another temple resembling this in form and material, but 
more than one-third larger. This had on the top the ruins of several houses 
built of brick. As far as we explored in this valley we found ruins of 
houses in every direction, even extending up on the steep side of the mount- 
ain. This valley we judged to be 1000 feet above the plain. 
" Being determined to reach the summit, if possible, I took water and pro- 
