BIRDS OF THE BAHAMA ISLANDS. 
2 9 
about fifty yards, when another passageway was discovered at right 
angles with the one we were following;. It extended but a short 
distance, leading to a small chamber, hung with a few stalactites, but 
not to be compared with the one we had first entered. A number 
of small passages led away in different directions, but few of them 
large enough to permit of our entrance ; and those which we were 
able to enter were gradually being closed by the almost impercep- 
tible growth of the huge pillars. 
This cave, as far as we were able to enter it, appeared to be about 
two hundred yards in depth. Some of the chambers literally 
swarmed with bats, which flew about our heads or hung from the 
ceiling, uttering shrill squeaks as we penetrated into their domain. 
As we emerged from the cave, it seemed like entering an oven. 
Our animals stood with drooping heads and half-closed eyes, seem- 
ingly overcome by the intense heat. The mercury exposed to the 
sun showed a temperature of 154°, and if a foot was exposed for a 
few minutes to the sun’s rays, the shoe became so hot as to cause 
a burning sensation to the skin. Our drinking-water, which had 
been put up in bottles and packed in the saddle-bags, was found to 
have become hot. Both of us had a slight headache, but there was 
no help for it. It was either go on, or miss visiting some of the 
other caves, which the guide claimed were in close proximity; so 
we mounted our distressed animals, and made our way slowly along 
the path leading to a cave which a negro had lately discovered, but 
which had not been explored, the negroes being very superstitious 
regarding the caves, and rarely entering one alone if it can be 
