Account of some remarkable Caves , &c. 403 
and crush all beneath ; and every where thereabouts are to be 
met with objects, which suggest the idea of their being evi- 
dent vestiges of some general and mighty catastrophe which 
happened in the primeval times of the globe. 
The strata of these hills consist chiefly of limestone of va- 
rious colour and texture, or of marl and sandstones. The 
tract of limestone hills abounds with petrifactions of various 
kinds.. 
The main entrance to the caves at Gailenreuth opens near 
the summit of a limestone hill towards the east. An arch, 
near seven feet high, leads into a kind of antichamber, 80 feet 
in length, and 300 feet in circumference, which constitutes 
the vestibule of four other caves. This antichamber is lofty 
and airy, but has no light except what enters by its open 
arch ; its bottom is level, and covered with black mould ; al- 
though the common soil of the environs is loam and marl. 
By several circumstances it appears, that it has been made 
use of in turbulent times as a place of refuge. 
From this vestibule, or first cave, a dark and narrow alley 
opens in the corner at the south end, and leads into the second 
cave , which is about 60 feet long, 18 high, and 40 broad. Its 
sides and roof are covered, in a wild and rough manner, with 
stalactites, columns of which are hanging from the roof, others 
rising from the bottom, meeting the flrst in many whimsical 
shapes. 
The air of this cave, as well as of all the rest, is always 
cool, and has, even in the height of summer, been found below 
temperate. Caution is therefore necessary to its visitors ; for 
it is remarkable, that people having spent any time in this or 
the other caverns, always on their coming out again appear 
S.F *- 
