238 
Geology of Sydney. 
rugged fissure leads to a large cavern, where the most 
grotesque figures, formed by the percolation of water 
through beds of limestone, present themselves ; while 
the eye, glancing onwards, watches the dim and 
distant glimmers of the lights of the guides — some in 
the recess below, and others in the galleries above. 
Passing from these recesses, the passage conducts 
to a flight of steps that lead into a large cavern of 
irregular form and of great beauty. Its dimensions 
are about thirty feet by fifty. Here the incrustation 
hangs just like a sheet of water that was frozen as it 
fell : there it rises into a beautiful stalagmitic pillar, 
and yonder composes an elevated seat, surrounded by 
sparry pinnacles. Beyond this room is another, more 
irregular, but more beautiful, for, besides having sparry 
ornaments in common with the others, the roof over- 
head is of the most admirable and singular formation. 
It is entirely covered with stalactites, which are sus- 
pended from it like inverted pinnacles, and they are of 
the finest material, and most beautifully shaped and 
embossed. In another department an immense sheet 
of transparent stalagmite, which extends from the floor 
to the roof, emits, when struck, deep and mellow 
sounds, like those of a muffled drum. 
“ Farther on is another vaulted chamber, which is 
one hundred feet long, thirty-six wide, and twenty- 
six high. Its walls are filled with grotesque concre- 
tions. The effect of the lights placed by the guides at 
various elevations, and leaving hidden more than they 
reveal, is extremely fine. At the extremity of another 
