STALACTITES. 
353 
degrees hardening into a figure that their fears had 
formed into a monster. Incited by this extraordi- 
nary appearance, we were induced to proceed still 
further, in quest of new adventures, in this sub- 
terranean abode. As we proceeded new wonders 
offered themselves : the spars, formed into trees and 
shrubs, presented a kind of petrified grove ; some 
white, some green, and all receding in due per- 
spective. They struck us with the more amaze- 
ment as we knew them to be mere productions of 
Nature, who, hitherto in solitude, had, in her play- 
ful moments, dressed the scene as if for her own 
amusement. 
u But we had as yet seen but few of the wonders 
of the place, and were introduced only into the 
portico of this amazing temple. In one corner of 
th is half illuminated recess, there appeared an 
opening of about three feet wide, which seemed to 
lead to a place totally dark, and that one of the na- 
tives assured us contained nothing more than a re- 
servoir of water. Upon this we tried, by throwing 
down some stones, which rumbled along the sides 
of the descent for some time, and seemed at last 
quashed in a bed of water. In order, however, to 
be more certain, we sent in a Levantine mariner, 
who, by the promise of a good reward, with a 
flambeau in his hand ventured into this narrow 
aperture. After continuing in it for about a quarter 
of an hour, he returned, carrying some beautiful 
pieces of white spar in his hand, which art could 
neither imitate nor equal. Upon being informed 
2 A 
VOL. III. 
