Kentucky Forests and Caves 
precious time with weeds, caves, fossils, or any- 
thing else that he could not eat. 
Arrived at the great Mammoth Cave. I was 
surprised to find it in so complete naturalness. 
A large hotel with fine walks and gardens is 
near it. But fortunately the cave has been un- 
improved, and were it not for the narrow trail 
that leads down the glen to its door, one would 
not know that it had been visited. There are 
house-rooms and halls whose entrances give 
but slight hint of their grandeur. And so also 
this magnificent hall in the mineral kingdom of 
Kentucky has a door comparatively small and 
unpromising. One might pass within a few 
yards of it without noticing it. A strong cool 
breeze issues constantly from it, creating a 
northern climate for the ferns that adorn its 
rocky front. 
I never before saw Nature's grandeur in so 
abrupt contrast with paltry artificial gardens. 
The fashionable hotel grounds are in exact 
parlor taste, with many a beautiful plant cul- 
tivated to deformity, and arranged in strict 
1 n 1 
