CHAP. VIII. 
INTERIOR OF THE CANGO CAVERNS. 
201 
inverted apex indicated that the beautiful stalactite was still 
receiving fresh additions to its size and form. Sometimes I 
noticed small marble-like circles on the floor, at others the 
pyramid rose several feet high, its summit presenting a 
thimble-shaped cup filled with water, which, overflowing, 
spread down the sides. In some parts the crystallisations 
above and below appeared to have no connection, but in 
others the upper and lower formations appeared to be imme¬ 
diately one over the other, the lower structure being formed 
by the lime-impregnated water, dripping from the centre of 
the stalactite above. At times they had approached within a 
few feet of each other, and some were so united as to exhibit 
the form of a gigantic hour-glass, cut with exquisite sharp¬ 
ness, and with endless variety of figure. Besides the water 
dropping constantly from the roof, there were frequent cis¬ 
terns or hollows in the sides or floors of the grottoes, like 
pure alabaster baths, filled with water so transparent that 
several of us stepped more than ankle deep into them, with¬ 
out perceiving anything but the coral-like stalagmite at the 
bottom. The water was cold and perfectly tasteless. In 
many of the chambers I observed names, and dates of the 
visits of parties, some of high rank and station, either cut in 
the rock, or written in pencil on the walls. At length, after 
having been two hours in the cavern, we reached the spacious 
gallery, said to be 800 feet in length, and designated the 
Thompson gallery, from its having been first explored by a 
gentleman of that name about thirty years ago. From this 
point we retraced our steps, visiting, on our way back, several 
small and exceedingly beautiful grottoes, situated along the 
sides of those by which we had passed on our way into the 
cavern. 
On reaching the mountain side we proceeded to the house 
of a neighbouring boer, who had acted as our guide, and 
after a short rest pursued our difficult way through the 
