Limestone Caves. 
237 
porting the roof of the grotto. It is to grotesque 
forms assumed by stalactites, and these natural 
columns, that caverns owe the interesting appearances 
described in such glowing terms by those who witness 
them for the first time. 
“ The Grotto of Antiparos, in the Grecian Archi- 
pelago, not far from Paros, has long been celebrated. 
The sides and roof of its principal cavity are covered 
with immense incrustations of calcareous spar, which 
form either stalactites depending from above, or irre- 
gular pillars rising from the floor. Several perfect 
columns reaching to the ceiling have been formed, and 
others are still in progress, by the union of the stalac- 
tite from above with the stalagmite below. These, 
being composed of matter slowly deposited, have 
assumed the most fantastic shapes ; while the pure, 
white, and glittering spar beautifully catches and 
reflects the light of the torches of the visitors to this 
subterranean palace, in a manner which causes all 
astonishment to cease at the romantic tales told of the 
place — of its caves of diamonds and of its ruby walls ; 
the simple truth, when deprived of all exaggeration, 
being sufficient to excite admiration and awe. 
“ Sometimes a linear fissure in the roof, by the 
direction it gives to the dropping of the lapidifying 
water, forms a perfectly transparent curtain or parti- 
tion. A remarkable instance of this kind occurs in a 
cavern, in North America, called Wyer’s Cave. This 
cave is situated in a ridge of limestone hills running 
parallel to the Blue Mountains. A narrow and 
