STALACTITE^. 



forms wliicli presented a glittering appearance, 

 as the light from the t(n-e]ies tell nj>()n thcnu A 

 numher of a small species of bat, disturbed by 

 our presence ia their dark retreat, flew about, 

 and mptrntM^ mi^f ^ th^, t B&vml of their 

 skeletons pending htm th^ T^tksr^ iadicated that 

 it afforded them a mauaoleum^ 88 wdl as a 

 retreat during life. 



As we proceeded, the cavern became mofe 

 lofty and expansive | feut although able, froia 

 i^ ^ijmiiitm^im'W^ erect, we were obliged to 

 take care of occasional projections from the rocks 

 on each side. As the light from the torches fell 

 upon the white glittering fantastic forms of the 



the sid6i», flie ^Mmi highly pleading^. We 

 came at last to a descent of fine loose e^iirthi in 

 which some wond>ats had 1)eeu burrowing, and 

 much care was necessary to avoid falling iiartO 

 the gaping entif^iiiOes* The d^s^s^tf hh^Ang }mm 

 etfbeted^, V0 feimd <miselves in tifie wmt bfty, 

 heautifol,, cpad spacious part of this • extensive 

 cavern ; we teruied it the gTaml hall im- 

 mense masses of stalactites, (to which fancied 

 ire8ei»i»ldii<^ of Ib3im bad (Occasioned the names 

 ik^ 0jf#UL-pipe$^ t& be ^rm^} 

 had a beantifiil appearance i enormous pending 



