[ 257 ] 
large flag ftones, or timber (probably by the miners) to 
facilitate, if poffible, the filling up ofElden Hole, ftill 
remains buried under the heap of ftones. ' And 1 do 
alfo fuppofe, that the great flopc of hones, which Mr. 
Lloyd . defcribes, is not entirely compofed of loofe 
ffones from time to time flung in ; but that under 
them is the original fhelf of foiid rock, much fteeper 
than the prefent flope, and fomething in the diredlion 
S D fig. V. with the mouth of the fecond fliaft near 
the end of it. And this fuppofition, together with 
Mr. Lloyd’s exaft defcription of the parts of the 
cavern which he faw, will perhaps reconcile all the 
accounts that have been given of this mofl aftonifli- 
ing chafm. 
For, ftones flung down, or let down by ropes, in 
a proper diredtion, would certainly Aide along the 
flielf of rock, and defcend into the fecond fhaft, 
before it was covered up; whereas others would rcfl; 
at the bottom of the firft flaaft, or in the great cave ; 
and hence the depths obferved by different perfons, 
' at different times, mull have varied greatly from one 
another. 
And if it be further confidered, that, in founding 
fuch great depths, the weight of the rope may often 
be miffaken for the weight of the plummet ; and 
that hence the rope may continue defcending, and 
coiling up, firff at the bottom, and afterwards at 
other places where it is accidentally flopped, till it be 
at length hindered in its defcent by fome projedions 
of the rcyek nearer the mouth of the fliaft ; this will 
account rfor Mr. Cotton’s letting dowm 884 yards; 
whilfl the water at the bottom of the fecond fliaft 
will account for 8o yards being wet ; as fo many 
'' VoL. LXI. L 1 ' might 
