CLAFSEN AND POVELSENS 



forms and figures. There may frequently be seen large crevices, 

 vaults, and arches In the rocks, but particularly three caverns, 

 situated a quarter of a mile to the south of the Sourther. One 

 of these was formerly considered a very convenient place for col- 

 lecting the sheep, when sending them to pasture, it being very 

 long, with an entrance only wide enough to admit the sheep con- 

 veniently ; after which they dispersed themselves over the cavern, 

 which was large enough to contain two thousand of these animals. 

 The third of these caves is the longest of all, as it receives at 

 one end a branch of the river of Nordling, and disembogues it 

 at a djstance of a quarter of a mile. 



The entrance to the cavern of Sourther is gloomy, and runs 

 from N. Wi to S. E. but preserves its height, which is from 

 thirty to thirty-six feet, while its width is from fifty to fifty-four. 

 Its soil or bottom is uneven, sometimes rising, and at others 

 falling ; its partitions are the same, only that there is an equal 

 distance between them. On advancing, it is perceived that the 

 cavern turns to the south, and afterwards to the S. W. and W. 

 in proportion as it diminishes in width. 



Our travellers on entering the cavern, lighted a torch, of which 

 they had brought a supply from Copenhagen ; it was well 

 covered with wax and a thick coating of rosin, so as to resist the 

 strong current of air that prevails in subterraneous passages, as 

 well as the drops of water that fall from the upper rocks. 

 Their progress was the most difficult and dangerous that can be 

 imagined, on account of the inequality of the soil, which was 

 covered with large fragments of stone, and to the fall of which 

 they were incessantly exposed, as great numbers drop every 

 year. The vault of the cavern possesses almost the same degree 

 of irregularity from the causes already mentioued, as well as from 

 the stalactites that adhere to it; the roof is full of crevices, which 

 extend longitudinally and perpendicular, and afford passages for 

 the filtration of water. 



In this cavern there are stalactites of various sizes, the largest 

 are three inches long by two and a half in diameter at their 

 base; they receive by fusion, the same form as lava-stone, and 

 appear to be composed of the same substance : they are, how- 

 ever, rather finer, and are covered externally with a reddish- 

 coloured varnish ; internally, they are more or less porous and 

 compact, proceeding probably from the greater or less degree 

 of heat, to which they have been subjected. 



The sides or partitions of the cavern produce the greatest 

 effect, as they are covered with a sort of varnish in horizontal 

 squares, separated by borders in relief. This varnish is formed 

 of a very fine vitreous, but opaque matter: in some parts it is 

 black, but it is generally of a greenish colour, and similar to. 



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