September i, 1890 .] THE TROPICAL AGRJOOLTyRlST, 
213 
up the reefB in the coral seas of the present day ; and 
it is significant of the vast changes this part of the 
surface of the earth has undergone, when we see fresh- 
water streams, at an elevation of several thousand feet 
above the sea, now flowing through rocks that were 
originally formed beneath the waves of the ocean at a 
very remote period of the earth’s history. These 
silent rock-teachings give additional charm to the many 
interesting features of these caves.” 
Again 
“ There appear to have been two distinct periods 
during which stalactitic growth formed : one of com- 
paratively remote age, and very local in character, 
being chiefly confined to the caves known as the 
Lurline and Bone Caves, and another but recent and 
still in operation. The older growth is essentially of 
a stalactitic type, and the salactites are remarkably 
thick; though in one or two cases, as in Chamber No. 
1, a huge stalagmite is to be seen. The newer growth 
exhibits every fantastic and beautiful form known, 
from the thin hollow reed and transparent veil to the 
snow-white dome stalagmites, the crystal -fringed pool 
the wave-lined floor, and the crooked-fringed shapes 
that are turned in all directions.” 
Some of the names of the various caves (which, 
by the way, were discovered by the pursuers of a 
noted bushranger) are curious and some poetical : — 
The Grand Arch; the Devil's Coach House; the 
Nettle Cave ; the Imperial Cave ; the Lily of the 
Valley ; the Fairies’ Paradise ; the Bushranger’s 
Cave ; MoEwan’s Hole (the haunt of the bush- 
ranger) ; the Glass Cave ; the Mammoth Cave ; and 
the Bottomless Pit ! We cannot help quoting a 
passage from the description of one of the caves 
“ At once the vastness and silence of this chamber 
will rivet the attention of every observer, also the 
ripple-marked boulders all over the floor. Blocks of 
beautiful black marble may be seen in several places ; 
many fossil shells are noticeable, embedded in the 
rocks; and fine chalk-like rock, both pink and white, may 
be found here. Now and then the noiseless wallaby 
may be seen continuing his stealthy flight froni ledge 
to ledge up the walls ; occasionally the wild mimicry 
of the li re-bird re-echoes through this arch, though 
he himself may be safely hidden in the forest slopes 
outside. All these things combined make up one of 
the most wonderful and exquisitely harmonious pictures 
of nature’s handiworks.” 
One cave, the specially beautiful objects in which 
are carefully protected, is lighted by electricity ! 
In exploring the others the magnesium light is 
used. Mr. Foster, in concluding his description, 
writes : — 
“Having visited most of the important oaves through- 
out the world, viz., the Ajanta, Bllora, and Elephanta 
I Caves in India, the Great Moulmein Caves in Burmah, 
I others in Java and Japan, and the principal ones in 
. Europe, I can with confidence say none of them can 
compare with the Jenolan Caves for their marvellous 
j variety of formations, dazzling brilliancy of lustre, and 
i exquisite colouring.” 
There are oaves in Ceylon in our ancient lime- 
stone, in the modern lime formation near Point Pedro, 
and in our gneiss, as at Dambulla and elsewhere, 
inhabited by swallows, bats, and Buddhist priests ; 
but we have nothing with natural attractions to 
compare with the water-worn caves in the ancient 
upheaved limestone of New South Wales. — The 
nearest approach must be the mammoth eaves of 
j Kentucky, and those we saw of Luray, Western 
I Virginia, but Mr, Foster in his list does not men- 
tion the American caves. 
TeaCdliurk in Burma during the past year showed 
j a considerable improvement, although the industry 
18 of trifling extent. The area under tea had 
i increased from 14 to 1G4 acres and the approximate 
1 yield of tea from 1,6001b. to 12,250 lb. The cost 
of cultii ation was E30 per acre, and of manufacture 
] five annas per pound. Last year Burma produced 
no less than 2,764,457 tons of beet sugar. — M, Mail, 
July 29 th. 
Certain Tea-planters of the Kangra District have 
petitioned the Local Government against the pro- 
posed assessment of land under tea in their posses- 
sion, which was formerly held revenue free. The 
petitioners further ask that orders may be issued 
completely exempting the acreage under tea from 
assessment from the present time for a period of 
at least ten years. — M. Mail, July 18th. 
Exports op Indian Cotton. — The following 
table published by the Times of India is instructive 
and useful for reference. It will be observed that 
there is a considerable increase in season 1889-90 
over 1888-89, distributed over all the ports ; but as 
respects the cotton export trade, the figures show 
that Bombay is first — and the rest comparatively 
nowhere— holding as it does about 80 per cent of 
the whole trade ? The table is as follows : — 
SAILINGS OP COTTON PROM ALL INDIA, TO EUROPE, CHINA, 
AND OTHER FOREIGN PORTS, INDIAN POETS 
EXCLUDED 
1889-1890. 1888-1889. 
From 
-2 • -3 " S • B * 
Total Total 
c P ^ bales : c Q § bales : 
Bombay . . . .188,111 1,348,238 1,528,349 143,884 1,151,837 1,295,721 
Kurrachee.. 4,533 28,332 32,865 5,567 41,563 47,130 
Calcutta.... 29,671 129,204 158,875 26,891 88,651 114,542 
Madras 51,573 26,215 77,788 34,118 33,639 67,757 
Coconada ... 26,336 7,770 34,106 13,967 2,823 16,790 
Tutloorin ... 64,212 43,415 107,627 47,604 42,456 90,060 
Total 364,436 1,575,174 1,939,610 271,031 1,360,969 1,632,000 
CEYLON EXPORTS AND DISTRIBUTION 1890. 
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