Kentucky Forests and Caves 
rubbish and dust. Escaped to the woods. Came 
to the region of caves. At the mouth of the first 
I discovered, I was surprised to find ferns which 
belonged to the coolest nooks of Wisconsin and 
northward, but soon observed that each cave 
rim has a zone of climate peculiar to itself, and 
it is always cool. This cave had an opening 
about ten feet in diameter, and twenty-five 
feet perpendicular depth. A strong cold wind 
issued from it and I could hear the sounds of 
running water. A long pole was set against its 
walls as if intended for a ladder, but in some 
places it was slippery and smooth as a mast and 
would test the climbing powers of a monkey. 
The walls and rim of this natural reservoir were 
finely carved and flowered. Bushes leaned over 
it with shading leaves, and beautiful ferns and 
mosses were in rows and sheets on its slopes 
and shelves. Lingered here a long happy while, 
pressing specimens and printing this beauty 
into memory. 
Arrived about noon at Munfordville ; was 
soon discovered and examined by Mr. Mun- 
[ 7 1 
