You have found an item located in the Kentuckiana Digital Library.

Mammoth Cave and its denizens : a complete descriptive guide / by A.D. Binkerd.

Mammoth Cave and its denizens : a complete descriptive guide / by A.D. Binkerd. Binkerd, Adam D. 400dpi TIFF G4 page images University of Kentucky, Electronic Information Access & Management Center Lexington, Kentucky 2002 b92-129-29191365 Electronic reproduction. 2002. (Beyond the shelf, serving historic Kentuckiana through virtual access (IMLS LG-03-02-0012-02) ; These pages may be freely searched and displayed. Permission must be received for subsequent distribution in print or electronically. Mammoth Cave and its denizens : a complete descriptive guide / by A.D. Binkerd. Binkerd, Adam D. R. Clarke, Cincinnati : 1869. vi, 95 p. : ill. ; 24 cm. Coleman Microfilm. Atlanta, Ga. : SOLINET, 1993. 1 microfilm reel ; 35 mm. (SOLINET/ASERL Cooperative Microfilming Project (NEH PS-20317) ; SOL MN03711.08 KUK) Printing Master B92-129. IMLS This electronic text file was created by Optical Character Recognition (OCR). No corrections have been made to the OCR-ed text and no editing has been done to the content of the original document. Encoding has been done through an automated process using the recommendations for Level 1 of the TEI in Libraries Guidelines. Digital page images are linked to the text file. Mammoth Cave (Ky.) ,ammoth KENisTU CKY. By A. D. Binkerd, M. D. CINCINNATI: ROBERT CLARKE CO., Printers, I869. This page in the original text is blank. MAMMOTH CAVE. - - P- - THE .A\nd its -De /A FPJ4fJ]TY P. --"1 B. A. D. BINKE CINCINN., ROBERT CLARKE 65 WIKST FOURTH 1 8 6 9. - - v - -."- s-tV - - Ad nrizenls: FJJYTJ YY )E. RD, M. D. CO., Printers, STKrKT. 4 ;r PC t t t W. N _ASR' - a - - - ) -hi " K In 9--En at - E - - _aL 4 0 I II I I 0 II i I e" k Ir I X t. I I I It I- t I ' W )q - , 'q - " q '!/ ' -_ 9--el A- - Im- - I A - "I Entered ;iccording to Aet of Congress. in the year 1869, by A. D. BINKERD, M. D., in the Clerks Office of the Dist::ict Court for the Southern District of Ohio. 6- I - To mny Brother, ISAAC B. BINKERD, ESQ. IN Homage of his long and sincere devotion to the CAUSE OF EDUCATION, and in grateful recollection of his generous aid and en- couragement, is respectfully and affectionately inscribed BY HIS FORMER PUPIL, THE AUTHOR. - - - I 1-- CONTENTS. P AUDUBON'S AVENUE.............. ARCHED WAY.................... AMERICAN EAGLE................. ATMOSPHERE... ..... .... ACUTE ANGLE................... AMERICANISM ...................... ARM CHAIR....................... BALL RooM...................... BANDIT'S HALL................. BOTTOMLESS PIT.................. BRIDGE OF SIGHS................. BUNYAN'S WAY................... BUCHANAN'S WAY............... BACON CHAMBER ................. BACK TRACK....................... BRIDAL CHAMBER................ BLACK-SNAKE AVENUE........... CAVE CITY........................ CAVE HOTEL........ ..... CASCADE.......................... CHURCH ........... CORNCOBS ........................... CHIEF CITY........................ CASCADE HALL.................... CLEOPATRA'S NEEDLE........... CLEVELAND'S CABINET........... CRYSTAL FLOWERS ............... CRICKETS......................... CROGHAN'S HALL................. CONCLUSION ..................... DESCENT. ... ........ DESERTED CHAMBERS............ Page 18 30 33 41 43 45 56 22 87 31 32 34 35 40 50 55 29 10 10 12 20 23 50 72 79 77 93 86 80 94 14 28 P DEAD SEA........ DESERTED VILLAGE.............. DISCOVERIES..................... DISMAL HOLLOW.................. DRIPPING SPRING ................. ENTRANCE........................ EXPLORING PARTIES............ EARTHQUAKE ..................... EFFECTS UPON LIFE............ END OF SHORT JOURNEY........ EMBARKATION .................. ECHO RIVER....................... EL GHOR.......................... ELINDG AVENUE................. END OF CAVE...................... EYELESS FISH..................... EYELESS CRABS.................. FIRST IMPRESSIONS.............. FIRST VATS....................... Fox AVENUE .................... FAT MAN'S MISERY ............ FLOATING CLOUD Room......... FLOWER GARDEN................. FRANKLIN AVENUE.............. GREAT BAT Room ............... GRAND ARCH.................... GOTHIC AVENUE ................ GIANT'S COFFIN.................. GORIN'S DOME..................... GREAT RELIEF.................... GOTHIC ARCADE .......... 22 GOTHIC CHAPEL................. age 38 43 62 79 73 11 14 17 43 57 67 69 74 77 85 85 86 15 16 49 3.5 48 78 80 18 24 22 27 33 36 51 52 - - Mammrnoth Cave. r GUIDES ............................. GREAT WALK..................... GEOLOGY.......................... HEBE'S SPRING ............; IX THE MAELSTROM............. KENTUCKY CLIFFS.............. KINNEY'S ARENA............... LOCALITY.......................... LAKE LETHE..................... LOVER'S LEAP .................... LuCY'S DOME ........... ...... MEANS OF ACcCESS.............. MAIN CAVE....................... MCPHERSON'S MONUMENT...... MARTHA'S PALACE............... MINERVA' SjDoME ............ . MARTHA'S VINEYARD............ MAELSTROM ...................... MAMMOTH DOME.................. NEW ENTRANCE................ NATURAL BRIDGE ................ NICHOLAS' MONUMENT........... NATURAL BEAUTIES.............. N'ARROWS ......................... OLD ENTRANCE................. OLE BULL' S CONCERT ROOM.... Ox TRACKS....................... ODD FELLOWS' LINKS........... 0. M. RIVERS................... OWNERSHIP...................... PIGEON BOXES.................. PICTURES ON THE WALL......... PROCTOR'S ARCADE ............. PASSAGE OVER THE STYX ...... POEM BY PRENTICE .............. PERFORATE -STALAGMITES ...... RAILROAD PASSENGERS ......... 'age 61 68 92 76 81 20 48 9 39 56 74 9 19 28 29 30 76 80 87 12 39 49 59 15 12 73 1 22 36 37 58 20 26 48 66 89 55 10 I' ROTUNDA ........................ RocKY HALL ..................... RICHARDSON'S SPRING........... REVELERS' HALTL................. RHODA'S ARCADE................. RIVER HALL....................... RIVER STYX....................... RETURN............................ REGISTER ROOm.................. ROCKY MOUNTAINS............... RATS. . ROCK HOUSES.................... STANDING ROCKS.................. SOURCES OF AMUSEMENT........ SECOND HOPPERS................. STEPS OF TIME .................... SECOND VIEW..................... SIDE SADDLE PIT................. SOUNDING ROCL.................. SHELBY'S DOME ................. SCOTCHMAN' S TRAP.............. STAR CHAMBER.................. SILLIMAN'S AVENUE.............. SNOWBALL Roo3w................. SERENA'S ARBOR ................. SYLVAN AVENUE................. TEMPERATURE................... TIMEPIECE ......................... TRIP ON THE ECHO RIVER. TABLE OF DISTANCES........... VALLEY OF HUMILITY......... VEGETABLE ODORS .............. WASHINGTON HALL.............. WRIGHT'S ROTUNDA.............. WILLIE'S SPRING................. WOODEN BOWL.................... WINDING LABYRINTH............ Vi Page 17 26 30 33 74 37 39 42 51 79 87 93 23 11 21 29 63 30 31 31 34 46 73 77 80 88 13 25 69 95 34 58 76 49 24 29 32 - - I I aninto, I KENTUCKY. LOCALITY locality of che Mammoth Cave is in latitude 37c North, and longitude 90 West Q nfrom Washington. Ils only known entrance is in tie eastern part of Edmondson county, Kentucky, on the south side of Green river, one hundred and ninety-four feet above the level of that stream and ninety-four miles nearly due south from Louisville. MEANS OF ACCESS. The Louisville and Nashville Railroad passes within a few miles of the cave. This road was projected as early as 1850, and the first through train passed over it on the 9th of November, 1859. It is now one of the best roads in the State, and a part of the great line extending from Chicago to New Orleans. - - - 0Mammoth Cave. CAVE CITY, eighty-five miles south from Louisville and one hun- dred miles north from Nashville, is the point at which tourists stop over to visit the great Subterranean Won- der of the western world. A daily line of Concord coaches has long been established between this station and the cave. Mr. W. L. Myers is the genial proprietor of the Cave City Hotel. He has, always on hand, something very nice expressly for you. Mr. M'Coy, the proprietor of the stage line, keeps excellent stock, and employs none but the most careful and competent of drilvers. TJde jaunt of nire miles over the country is a very pleasant one. Several points on the road command a wide range of beautiful scenery diversified by rocky hills snd fertile plains. RAILROAD PASSENGERS, holding through tickets, may stop over, visit the cave, and resume their journey at pleasure on the same ticket. Many persons avail themselves of this privi- lege, generously extended by the railroad company to their patrons. THE CAVE HOTEL. This is rather a primitive edifice, constructed in the form of the letter L. It is, in the aggregate, over six hundred feet long, and has a wide, covered porch - - - - - I 10 Mammoth Cave. 11 along the sides facing the inclosed angle. Fronting this promenade is a beautiful lawn, thickly shaded by natural forest trees and ornamental evergreens. Mr. L. J. Proctor and Son are the present proprie- tors of the Cave Hotel and the Cave. SOURCES OF AMUSE-MENT. A couple of billiard tables; a dancing hall, thirty by ninety feet, and a natural park of ambitious propor- tions afford the chief amusements of the place. In the months of May and June the air is fragrant with the aroma of roses and other flowers cultivated in the gar- den adjoining the buildings. On fair days the wild birds beguile the hours with their varied songs. During the traveling season a band is employed to discourse music to the patrons of the dance. ENTRANCE TO THE CAVE. A few minutes' walk, out through the garden, over the stile, and down a flight of wooden steps, brings us into a rocky ravine deeply shaded by tall forest trees. Here the air is cool and bracing. The sensation is delightful, and we catch new inspiration from each long, deep draught of the vitalizing element. Proceeding on our way, we presently reach a dilapi- dated old log building, in front of which there is a yawning chasm fifty feet deep, with irregular and pre- cipitous sides. This is the dreary portal to the subter- ranean world. Green ferns and climbing vines cling -4 ---I - Mammoth Cave. everywhere to the projecting rocks as if striving to cast some adorning drapery about their nakedness. THE CASCADE. A little spring of water pours a ceaseless stream of silvery beads from a shelving rock above the entrance and dashes it to spray in the chasm below. One fancies that the monotonous hum of the falling water and the gloom of the thick, overhanging foliage, render the place a fit habitation for gnomes. The first emotions awakened at sight of the entrance, and its weird surroundings, are less agreeable than we could have wished. THE OLD ENTRANCE. Formerly, ingress was effected farther down the hill, near the Green river, where the cave may still be en- tered and explored as far as the breach forming the present entrance. At the old entrance we walk into the cave on a horizontal line, as into a coal mine or railroad tunnel. That part of the cave between the old and the new entrance is about half a mile long, and is known as Dickson's Cave. It contains nothing of special interest and is rarely visited. THE NEW ENTRANCE. At the new entrance we descend into a deep pit or shaft till we reach the floor of the cavern, about on a level with the old entrance. The present entrance was - - - - - i Mammoth Cave. 13 occasioned probably by the action of a little stream of water, causing the rocky roof, which was not very firm at this place, to break through. A knowledge of this fact may excite apprehensions of danger, but having once entered the cave, a sense of security steals over us, and we dismiss fear. TEMPERAT URE. In these rocky chambers the temperature is uniformly about 590 F. The cave exhales or inhales as the tem- perature outside is above or below this standard. In summer, a strong current of cool air rushes outward with such violence as to endanger our lights. In the cold weather of winter, the current sets inward. In the spring and fall, when the temperature outside is about equal to the temperature inside of the cave, there is no action whatever. This natural phenomenon is called the breathing of the cave. Coming out of the cave on the last day of March of this year, I noticed a strong current of air tending outward, increasing in violence as I approached the entrance (it being a fine day). When I had approached so near to the door as to be able to recognize the gray dawn of the daylight with- out, I tried the effect of this current of air upon my lamp, and found it sufficient to extinguish the flame. I had carried the lamp more than two hours, and it was partly exhausted. The breathing inside of the cave is never perceptible more than a few hundred I - - - 1M acmmoth Cave. yards from the entrance, except in case of a violent storm raging without, accompanied by sudden and great change of temperature. Change of season is unknown in the cave. Mornings and evenings have no existence in this nether world. Time itself produces no change in many parts of the cave; for where there is no variation of temperature, no water and no light, the rocks may defy the three great forces of geological transformation. EXPLORING PAIRTIES. Exploring parties are not properly equipped for the underground journey until each member of the com- pany is provided with a pair of thick-soled shoes or boots, a cap, blouse, and staff. The ladies should be arrayed in Turkish costume, with a hood of woolen stuff covering the head and ears. THE DESCENT. The guide, with a canteen of oil slung to his side, a box of matches and a good supply of Bengal lights in his pocket, and a basket of refreshments on his arm, hands to each a lighted lamp; then leads the way while we follow down a flight of rude stone steps till we reach the floor of the cavern. Here we pause a mo- ment, take another look at the sunny sky, and then pass behind the sheet of falling water and enter the door in the artificial wall that separates the outer world of sunshine from the realm of darkness. From the time l- - I 14 -5 1- Mammoth Cave. we pass this door, our minds are so occupied with new and interesting sights that we rarely think of anything else till we return to daylight again. FIRST IMPRESSIONS. On entering the cave we feel a slight chilliness, and perhaps, too, a touch of fear; but these sensations soon vanish as gently and imperceptibly as childhood glides into youth. Before we have gone half a mile we feel ourselves the dauntless explorers of unknown realms, ready to enter the darkest regions of the cave, guided by the light of a single taper. The courage of the timid tourist sometimes wavers before reaching the cascade, but we never knew any one to turn back vol- untarily after having gone as far as the vestibule. We can not see distinctly for some time after enter- ing the cave. But by the time we shall have reached the first point of considerable interest, the eye will be somewhat accustomed to the darkness, which will en- able us to see more clearly. THE NARROWS. For the distance of fifty yards or more beyond the entrance, there is a low narrow passage with an arti- ficial wall on each side, rudely constructed of the frag- ments of rock that were quarried from the bottom and forced from the low ceiling, in order to enable a span of oxen and a cart to enter the cave. These were em- ployed in the manufacture of saltpetre or nitrate of potash, which was extensively collected here from 1808 I- 16MamnmTfioth Cave. to 1814, by persons in the employ of the United States Government. The numerous rude appliances that were used in the manufacture of this salt, are still scat- tered along in the cave. Many articles of wood and some of iron may still be found here as firm and fit for use as when they were laid aside over half a century ago. FIRST VATS. Just beyond the Narrows, on the right hand side, are two huge bins or boxes, twelve feet long, six feet wide, and four feet deep. These boxes were constructed of strong oaken plank, and are still full of leached dirt that is almost as firm as a block of lime- stone. These bins, with their contents, have been care- fully preserved, just as they were left by the miners in 1812. A great number of the trunks of thrifty young poplar trees, from eight to twelve inches in diameter and from twenty to twenty-five feet long, perforated longitudinally with a two-inch auger, lie scattered along the floor, from the entrance to the distance of half a mile into the cave. Through one line of these old pump logs, fresh water was conducted from With- out for the purpose of leaching the dirt, and through the other the lixivium was forced back by means of a hand pump, to the entrance, where it was evaporated to crystals. l- - - -I l 16 Mammoth Cave. 17 THE EARTHQUAKE OF 1812. Mr. J. Gatewood, a native of the county, and an employe in the saltpetre mines, frequently stated dur- ing his lifetime, within the hearing of Mr. A. L. Mal- lory, my informant, that he was in the cave with a number of other workmen, during the occurrence of the earthquake that formed the lake in the lowland known as the " Kentucky Purchase," in the southwest- ern part of the State, bordering on the Ohio. The tremulous motion of the earth filled the miners with alarm, and they fled in the wildest confusion toward the entrance, which they did not reach till long after the danger was past, when they stepped forth with thankful hearts from what they feared might prove their supulcher. Fortunately no one was hurt, nor were the mining operations interfered with. Since the cave has proved a safe retreat during a violent earthquake, it is hardly probable that it could be unsafe at other times. No accident or loss of life has yet occurred in the cave, from carelessness or foul play, within the memory of that reverend being-the oldest inhabitan t. THE ROTUNDA. We next enter the vestibule or rotunda. This is a large cavern at the beginning of the main cave, and is said to be directly under the hotel. It is over seventy- five feet high, and one hundred and sixty feet across the - - 8Mammoth Cave. floor. Several avenues put off in different directions from this, as from most other of the large rooms. In some parts the wall is abrupt, in others the ceiling slopes down gradually to the floor. Off to the right is a passage rarely shown to visitors, as it contains nothing of special importance. This is called AUDUBON'S AVENUE. Being near the entrance, it is generally passed by without much attention, and the guides have finally dropped it from their course altogether. One part of this avenue presents an unusual attraction to the nat- uralist. Countless thousands of bats have taken pos- session of one of these caverns, wherefore it is known as THE GREAT BAT ROOM. Here the leathern-winged little animals cling to the walls and ceiling like huge swarms of bees, in bunches of many bushels, and doze away their existence in a semi-torpid state, in darkness and repose. What they feed upon is a question not easily settled. Some of them must remain here many months without once going out of the cave, as but few are seen outside at a time. It was formerly believed that they spent only the winter here; but I have never visited their apartment at any season without finding numbers of them. We will find plenty of them in the Rotunda for any experiment we may wish to make. They are cold to the touch, and when seized between the thumb and finger, they shrug up their shoulders, - _F_ - 18 Malmcmoth Cave. 19 move their wings lazily, and perhaps utter a feeble cry. Their eyes are about the size of a cambric needle's head; these they persistently close when brought to the light. I carried one out of the cave, and after examining it to my satisfaction, threw it up into the air, thinking it would fly, but it only used its wings as a parachute, lit gently upon the ground, and did not seem to have vital- ity enough to appreciate its freedom. They are very small, not over an inch and a half, or, at most, two inches in length, measuring about six inches across the wings. Notwitstanding their diminutive size, they are nev- ertheless capable of inflicting a severe wound. If we hold one of them by the fur and skin on the back of the neck, and blow into its face, it will curl up its nose as if in derision, open wide its mouth and display a beau- tiful set of the most perfect and delicate teeth, similar to a cat's and sharp as a needle. These little animals are classed by naturalists with the true quadrupeds or mammals, as they bring forth their young alive; and are grouped with the carnivora or insectivora. THE MAIN CAVE. The main cave begins at the Rotunda, under the hotel, and extends to the distance of five or six miles. It varies in width from fifty to three hundred feet, and in some places it is one hundred feet high. For the distance of a mile it is straight, then turning to the left it forms with itself an acute angle; after which its course is - l 0Mammoth Cave. irregular. Some of the small passages putting off from the main cave, after prolonged and tortuous windings, communicate with other caverns and domes, surpassing in grandeur and magnificence even the most renowned part of the main cave. We can not, in a small work like this, give a minute description of all that is inter- esting in so great a cavernous region. We propose to mention in the order of their occurrence only the main points of interest to which the tourist's attention is called, stating such facts regarding them as we have been enabled to gather by diligent research, inquiry of persons now living, and by personal inspection. KENTUCKY CLIFFS. As we move forward in the main cave, we notice on our left a rough ledge of beetling rocks, resembling the cliffs on the Kentucky river, after which they are named. On the right there is nothing peculiar, save sometimes a gradual sloping of the roof toward the floor. THE PIGEON BOXES. About four feet up the left hand wall there is a clus- ter of holes, very regularly formed, and about large enough to admit the hand. These being a distinct group, limited in number, while the adjoining wall is smooth, naturally suggests the name of Pigeon Boxes. THE CHURCH. About a quarter of a mile beyond the Rotunda, we enter a second dome or enlargement, in the main cave. This has a gothic roof or ceiling spanning the vast - 20 JMatmmoth Cave. arch, forty feet above the floor. The hall is somewhat irregular, and has an area of many thousand square feet. At the left hand corner as we enter this hall, there is a solid stone projection or platform about three feet higher than the main floor, and wide enough to hold a stand and several chairs. This is called the pulpit, and from it the Gospel was formerly preached to the large and attentive audiences that were probably attracted thither by the novelty of the occasion. These old pump logs arranged into rows of seats may still bear testimony that the story of Christ crucified has been toll even in the sunless caverns that underlie the "dark and bloody ground." A rude gallery extends around a part of this hall, perhaps twenty feet above the main floor. SECOND HOPPERS. We have now reached a second series of vats or shal- low pits, constructed of round sticks or split logs. Some of these are full of dirt and others are empty, resembling old pig pens. The great number of these rude appli- ances still remaining give some idea of the extent to which the work of saltpetre mining was carried on here. Notwithstanding the imperfect state of chemical knowl- edge half a century ago, and the primitive method em- ployed in extracting the salt, it is said the yield of a sin- gle year was estimated in value at twenty thousand dol- lars. These mines are very rich, and it is believed that the dirt which has once been leached, has the power of absorbing this salt again from its great source, and may be worked over with profit every three or four years, 9- .- 3- 22 JXMamnmolh Cave. thus affording an endless supply of the nitrate of pot- ash. GOTHIC ARCADE. Just in this part of the cave, where the mining op- erations were most extensively carried on, we notice a flight of wooden steps leading up to a large opening in the wvall on our right. This is the entrance to a very interesting part of the cave, which we will visit on our return. As it is the best part of the day's work, we will reserve it to the last-make dessert of it. THE BALL ROOM. The Ball Room is the next place of interest that claims our attention. It is an enlarged portion of the main cave, perhaps one hundred feet long, sixty feet wide,and forty or fifty feet high. The floor is even, the walls and ceiling are regular, and with a little labor it could be made one of the most charming and commo- dious halls in the entire series. But the proprietors are anxious to show the cave as nearly in the natural state as possible, and therefore all the embellishments of art are scrupulously discarded. OX-TRACKS IN THE ROCK. In this part of the cave are still to be seen the tracks of cattle and of the carts that were used by the miners. In one place is a distinct ox-track in a hard substance similar to limestone rock. It will be borne in mind that these tracks were made in the soft mud over half a century ago, and since this part of the cave is very - Mammoth Cave. dry, and has been so for many years, the mud has be- come so thoroughly baked that it has assumed the con- sistency of rock. Thousands of human feet have trod- den over it, and still the intaglio remains indelibly fixed in the hard substance. Cart tracks are too nu- merous and well defined to be mistaken by even a blind man. OLD CORN COBS. Close by the wall on the left side of the room, may still be seen the fragments of corn-cobs, but whether they were brouglht here by the miners, as is the tradi- tion, or by Mat, the guide, for the purpose, as he says, of gratifying the curiosity of relic hunters, we have no means of determining. Three or four feet up the wall from these fragments, where the cattle were most prob- ably fed, there is a kind of hitching ring naturally formed in the rock. To this the guide informed us the cattle were fastened, during the intervals allowed for rest and for taking nourishment. The smooth groove worn by the rope into the rock, proves beyond doubt that the prevailing opinion has some foundation in truth. THE STANDING ROCKS. At the farther end of the Ball Room, there are several large flat rocks that must have tumbled from the ceiling, perhaps ages ago. Several of these most probably turned edge foremost in the descent, in which position they buried themselves so firmly in the dirt and rubbish, that they still stand as un- yielding as the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Two of - - - - 23 Mamjwoth Cave. these deserve special attention. They are, perhaps, fifteen feet long and project ten feet above the floor. The one nearest the wall stands nearly perpen- dicular, and has a heavy molding along the top. The other is about two feet thick, and stands parallel with the first, three feet from it, but leaning over toward it at the top. Playful boys and girls seldom fail to pass between the standing rocks. There are no dangerous pits in this part of the cave. The-floor is covered with a fine dry dust that never rises like the dust of the outer world, in spite of the pattering of many feet. It will neither adhere to a polished boot nor scarcely soil our garments. GRAND ARCH. This portion of the cave is very similar to that which we have already seen, except the peculiar arch in the ceiling, which, when well lit up is one of the grandest sights we have yet witnessed. Like a paint- ing, it should be studied in order to get the best effect. It will amply repay us for all the time we spend in contemplating its beauty. This arch is about fifty feet high and sixty feet wide. WILLIE'S SPRING. On the left side of this beautiful stretch of won- ders, a thread of water about the size of a Faber pen- cil, has chiseled a fantastic little niche into the solid limestone rock, and gathered itself into a spring or basin at the foot of the niche. Tasting the water, we Matcummnoth Cave. find it fresh and palatable. A little reflection here, upon cause and effect, will do much toward explain- ing the theory of cave formation. Three conditions are required to enable the water to carve these mag- nificent halls into the solid rock. These conditions all exist at the spring above referred to. The limestone is a very pure carbonate, the water con- tains carbonic acid, and in order to do work it must be in motion. The water containing the carbonic acid, in running over the rock, dissolves, takes up and holds in solution the lime and carries it away. While this process is going slowly on, at a very low temper- ature, the conditions are every instant renewed, by which the work must be continued. While the water is taking up the particles of lime, the carbonic acid is liberated from its union with the lime in the rock, and now the acid is taken up by the water to which it adds the solvent power over the rocks. The peculiar shapes in the various caverns are due mostly to two causes: first, the different degrees of solubility in the different parts of the same rock; and, second, the cur- rent or motion of the water. The tourist will observe many freaks of shape and direction in niches and cav- erns directly traceable to the causes above enumerated. THE TIMEPIECE. Behind some loose rocks on the left may be heard the slow dropping of water, at such regular intervals as to imitate the ticking -of a timepiece. It requires but little effort to imagine oneself in a quiet old-fash- - - Mammroth Cave. ioned house, lulled to repose by the drowsy tickings of the old moon-faced clock. Mr. Samuel Meredith, the guide, informed us that this natural chronometer con- tinues to mark time, from year to year, with wonderful uniformit; of intervals between drops. ROCKY HALL. On our left there is a high opening in the wall half blocked up with huge bowlders or immense rocks that have tumbled down from time to time. Notwith- standing the roughness of the passage, it may be fol- lowed for more than two miles, but it is doubtful whether we would feel sufficiently rewarded for the trouble should we attempt to explore it. It is never shown to visitors. PICTURES ON THE WALL. Now we are upon the threshold of that part of the cave so fall of wonders and attractions for all lovers of pictures. The prevailing color of the floor, walls, and ceiling of the cave is dark gray. Here the ceiling is covered with an incrustation of gypsum, manganese or iron, producing the different shades of white or dark in proportion: s the gypsum or the iron pre- dominates. In some cases there is a dark picture upon a white background, in others a white picture upon a dark background, and in still others, a black and white picture upon a gray background, giving the whole a variegated and fancifi I appearance. We pause I IJ l- - - Mammoth Carve. here a minute and look around, tracing out the differ- ent kinds of animals. In the dim light of our lamps, they appear wonderfully true to life. The longer we look the more difficult it becomes to resist the impression that we have actually entered the studio of some young artist who has just blocked out a first class menagerie. Here is a pair of pretty good bears; there, a group of monkeys; yonder, a wildcat; farther over, a verita- ble elephant; and farther on is a catamount crouch- ing upon a log ready to spring upon its victim. See how it gazes with an expression of fierce earnestness that might defy the king of beasts! Over to the left is the big Indian, tossing his papoose playfully-over to his squaw, seated at his feet. Many of these pictures are in various attitudes, displaying a grace of motion as nimble and airy as if they had been photographed upon the wall, by some magic art, with the sudden- ness of a flash of lightning. THE GIANT'S COFFIN. Just one mile from the entrance, on the right side of our path, there is a large rock, fifty-seven feet long, detached from the rest, and standing up a little from the floor. This bears so perfect a resemblance to a huge coffin, that any one can see the fitness of the name of " Giant's Coffin," by which it is known. On our left the wall is abrupt, and the ceiling high above our heads, but on the right and in front the roof grad- ually slopes down toward the floor. Here the cave I1 - - - I Mammoth Cave. makes an acute angle with itself, and just at the apex of the angle is McPHERSON'S MONUMENT. This is a rude pile of unhewn stone, erected by his surviving staff officers to the memory of the gallant soldier whose name it bears. A stone is occasionally added to the pile by one of the General's friends, but like most other things in the cave, its growth is rather slow. Here we will leave the main cave awhile for scenes of a different character. Our path leads around the Giant's Coffin to the right. Now we must stoop, in order to enter a low, tortuous passage that leads downward and perhaps backward under the main cave to a series of rooms of considerable size known as the DESERTED CHAMBERS. The direction of these caverns is by no means regu- lar, nor do they continue on the same plane. The general tendency of the grade of the main cave is downward from the entrance, and the same is true of the passage we are now following. When we shall have reached the rivers, about a mile from this point, we will have descended nearly to the level of the Green river, which is, as already stated, one hundred and ninety-four feet below the entrance to the cave. - Mammoth Cave. STEPS OF TIME. Here we descend a flight of ten or twelve wooden steps, marvelously steep; then turning a little to the right, we follow a more convenient path that leads to a large room, one hundred feet in diameter. The floor is irregular and the ceiling low and concave. This is called THE WOODEN BOWL. It is probable that even this part of the cave was known to the Indians, for it is said that a wooden bowl of rude construction was found in this room, by the first white man that explored it. Here the wonderful formations begin to crowd on us thick and fast, and many objects of rare beauty will probably be passed unnoticed. BLACKSNAKE AVENUE leads from Wooden Bowl to the main cave. It derives its name from its serpentine course and black walls. It is now rarely visited. MARTHA'S PALACE. This is a conical little opening, dissolved into the solid rock that forms the roof above our heads. In all this region the slow work of rock carving is still going on. The little drops of water, falling at such inter- vals that they may be counted, are the assiduous agents by which these magnificent halls are fashioned. - - 0Mamrfnoth Cave. RICHARDSON'S SPRING. The water does not only drop from above, but it also wells up from below; for here in the midst of our path is a little basin of it, ready to quench the thirst of every comer. See how it sparkles as it runs away to resume its carving, humming a low song as it goes! The smooth rocks that may answer the purpose of seats, and that cup by the spring, tell plainly enough what the guide means by leaving the basket here. We shall dine here to-day as we return from over the Styx. ARCHED WAY. We continue our journey along a grotto of sufficient hight to allow us to walk erect. The ceiling over head forms a gothic arch, similar to that in the main cave. Though not so grand and imposing, it is of similar formation, but on a smaller scale. The character of this hall changes but little till we reach SIDE-SADDLE PIT. This is an irregular opening in the plane of the floor, bearing some resemblance to a side saddle viewed from above. It is forty-five feet deep. Immediately over it is a huge irregular opening extending upward to the distance of forty feet or more. This is called MINERVA'S DOME. These immense caverns extend downward and up- ward from the level of our path. They are so close to - I 30 M4fammoth Cave. the right hand side that we may view them thoroughly without any danger of tumbling into them. Due care, however, should always be taken to avoid accident. Just on the left, and a little forward from this place, is the famous SOUNDING ROCK. This is a petrous formation nearly detached from the wall, resembling in shape the human ear. When struck by the hand it gives a low, sweet, musical tone. This point is rarely passed unnoticed. Close to the left side of our path is the mouth of the BOTTOMLESS PIT. This strange place was disarmed of some of its ter- ror when it was ascertained that it has a bottom said to be one hundred and seventy-five feet below the path, along which there is an iron railing to prevent sinners from straying into that pit. So far no one has ever come to grief in this yawning chasm. Immedi- ately over the pit is a high arch, similar to that over Side-Saddle Pit. This is known as SHELBY'S DOME. Some very singular and beautiful formations may be seen up in this dome, by throwing a Bengal light in such a position as to illuminate it to the top. Scroll work, corrugated panels and fanciful projections are lavished everywhere in such profusion as to bewilder the eye. The click of dropping water is heard at measured intervals in the dreary darkness around, - - - 31 Mammothn Cave. reminding one of dropping nuts, or the falling of autumnal leaves, when the slowly rising morning sun unlocks the icy fetters that had bound them to the parent stem. But we can not pause to conjure up reflections. BRIDGE OF SIGHS. This is a wooden structure three or four feet wide, and ten feet long, spanning a chasm between Side-Sad- dle Pit on our right and Bottomless Pit on our left. There is a wooden hand-rail on each side of this nar- row bridge, so that there is no danger in passing over it. Just here there is an old ghost of a bridge that was thrown over an arm of Side-Saddle Pit, and then abandoned half finished, for fear it might decay, be- ing kept constantly wet by the dropping water. No one ventures upon it. WINDING LABYRINTH. Just beyond the little wooden bridge we turn off abruptly to the right, and descend a long, steep wooden stairway, to the bottom of a narrow, winding gorge, scarcely wide enough for two persons to pass. We follow this winding gorge toward almost every cardinal point of the compass, ascend a second stair- way, and then descend a third, and finally reach a window-like opening on our left. Here we arc upon the threshold of great wonders and indescribable beau- ties. This is l- I - 32 MamnTmothh Cave. GORIN'S DOME, and the crowning attraction of the day's journey. By holding our lights in through this opening, we see a huge curtain of limestone a hundred feet long, sus- pended far above and stretching its wavy folds of petrous drapery many yards below our feet, termin- ating about twenty feet above the floor. This dome is two hundred feet high and sixty feet across the widest part. The guide goes up to another opening and throws down a Bengal light, which enables us to take the dimensions of this vast cavern. Looking up we can see a huge glimmering dome a hundred feet above our heads. We catch but an imperfect glimpse of this great wonder, yet we are impressed with its grandeur and matchless beauty. But we can not tarry here, so we retrace our steps toward the arched way. THE AMERICAN EAGLE. As we return through this narrow gorge, just after descending the flight of wooden steps, we see on the rocky wall to our right, a huge spread-eagle, fixed im- movably upon the rock. It is not the work of art, but of Nature's own fashioning; perhaps not one of her best specimens, but still it can easily be recognized. Having ascended the long flight of steps, we find our- selves in the same grotto we started from. REVELERS' HALL. This is a wild, triangular room, rough and irregular - 33 Mammoth Cave. in outline. Besides the passage by which we entered, there is one leading off a little to the right, and quite large enough to admit a man on horseback. It may be followed for a mile or more, and contains sonie objects of interest. It is not shown to visitors except on rare occasions. The chief attractions are Pensacola Avenue, Wild Hall, Snowball Arch and Pine Apple Tree. SCOTCHMAN'S TRAP. By some frightful commotion among the rocks, per- haps ages ago, the most elaborately ornamented parts of the cave came near being vailed from human sight forever. The huge stone cover, that would have blocked up this passage to the rivers, but for the apex of its angle, that caught against the opposite wall, still leans over the door, at an angle of forty-five degrees. With some misgivings we pass under this trap, descend a declivity, and enter the VALLEY OF HUMILITY. Here we perform a grievous amount of stooping, and but for the name of the passage, which serves to keep us in a serene and amiable mood, we might re- call some of the characters in Dante's Inferno. Suddenly we enter a new passage at right angles. This is a little higher in the ceiling, and allows us to breathe freely. The part leading to the right is called BUNYAN'S WAY. This may be followed for miles of tortuous windings -I l- Mammnoth Cave. 3Z that only perplex the explorer by bringing him into his old path again. That leading to our left is called BUJCHANAN'S WAY. This may also be followed for a great distance with- out coming to anything very definite or specially in- teresting. We choose to follow it, however, for about forty yards. Here we will turn off at right angles into that unique passage known as the Winding Way, or more familiarly as FAT MAN'S MISERY. This is a narrow, meandering path, one hundred and five yards long, cut or dissolved by water, about eighteen or twenty inches wide, and three feet deep into a solid rock, and of wonderful uniformity in both width and depth. This serpentine channel bears the above name because it will not permit any one to pass, whose size exceeds certain prescribed limits. The largest man who was ever known to pass here, weighed two hun- dred and sixty pounds. It was not without many a labored effort that he succeeded in emerging from its inner portal. Before this channel was cut, there seems to have been a horizontal aperture of several feet be- tween the different strata of limestone, and extending to a considerable distance on each side of the lowest part naturally sought by the water. From the bottom of the channel to the ceiling, the distance varies from four and a half to six feet. The path is a perfect negative or lithograph of running water. The little - - - 6Mammoth Cave. waves and ripples stand out from the sides and bottom in bass-relief, as if the water had been suddenly con- verted into stone. After being thoroughly ground in this relentless mill, we emerge into a large open hall. Here we are glad to take a breathing spell, and devise some way, if pos- sible, by which to get back without doing penance a second time, for possessing a full stature. But there is no escape from a second trial, unless we choose to remain in the realms of eternal darkness. The fates are as unrelenting as Neptune, when the voyager is about to cross the line for the first time. GREAT RELIEF. This is a cavern of considerable size, entered at right angles by the winding way. We will follow it to the right. The same characteristics abound here as else- where. No odor of any kind is perceptible. The tem- perature is the same as near the entrance. There is no motion whatever in the air. No signs of animal or vegetable life are met with, except perhaps a few rat tracks. An almost palpable darkness and a painful stillness pervade this gloomy region perpetually, ex- cept when the lamps of an exploring party shed their feeble light in these grand halls, or the swollen rivers dash against the rocks with sullen roar. ODD FELLOWS' LINKS. Three large links of a powerful chain are stretched across beneath, and firmly adherent to the ceiling. - 36 Mammoth Cave. 37 They are each about two feet long and as thick as a stout man's arm. They are somewhat discolored, show- ing the presence of a trace of iron in the limestone composing them. The peculiar shape and disposition of the insoluble limestone are among those freaks of nature we constantly meet with and yet are unable to explain. Just a few rods farther on are two promi- nent seams or ridges, the one branching off from the other, and resembling somewhat in shape and direction in relation to each other a portion of the junction of the OHIO AND MISSISSIPPI RIVERS. These prominent ridges, like the links, contain a trace of iron which resists the action of the water, while the more soluble limestone is dissolved away. They are fifteen or twenty feet long, and stand out in bass- relief several inches from the ceiling. RIVER HALL. We have now reached the point to which the water sometimes rises in the cave during a very wet sea- son. Low water mark is forty feet below this point. On the first of April of this year, the arches over the river were only a few feet under water. A fall of six feet would make the navigation of the rivers and the exploration of the entire cave quite prac- ticable. The statement that these rivers are subject to sudden tidal fluctuations has engendered some prejudice in the I- - 8 Mavmmyoth Cave. minds of the people against crossing them. It is true they do rise and fall, but this is due to neither lunar nor mysterious influence. They rise as the Green river rises, with which they doubtless communicate by un- known passages. They fall much slower than the Green river, because these passages are too small to permit the water to escape as rapidly as does that in the channel of Green river. But, says one, how shall I understand that Will more water run into a barrel than will run out of it in the same time, the apertures of ingress and egress and the pressure being the same Certainly not! The same cause that will make the Green river rise, will also make the fountains of the regions round about rise, and why not the rivers in the cave These rivers do not rise suddenly without some obvious reason for it any sooner than other rivers. The general tendency of the rivers in the cave is that of subsidence. The Lethe, which was a running stream a few years ago, is now a standing pool at low water. The waters have cut deeper channels and sought lower levels. The caverns we now navigate in boats will probably some day be passed through by the tourist on dry shod, unless the level of the Green river should arrest the descent of these streams. THE DEAD SEA. This dismal looking pool of standing water is in the hall above described. The surface is from forty to fifty feet below the floor of the hall, from which it is viewed. 38 Mammoth Cave. 39 The surface of the Dead Sea comprises an area of about a thousand square feet. If we throw a stone into it as almost every one is tempted to do, there comes back a thud that seems to awaken a legion of slumbering echoes. The water of the Dead Sea is perhaps twenty feet deep. At one place we may approach very near its surface and almost feel the strange gloom that hovers over it. THE RIVER STYX. The source and mouth of this mystical river are un- known. It is probably in some way connected with other rivers in the cave, as it rises and falls at the same time with them. It is thirty or forty feet wide, and varies from twenty to fifty feet in depth, and is five hundred feet long. It may be navigated the whole length of the stream. THE NATURAL BRIDGE. This is a limestone arch spanning the Styx twenty-five feet above that stream. We will pass over this bridge. It is well to be careful in this region of the cave, as there are several slippery places and low ceilings. With ordinary caution no harm can befall any one; yet a misstep might subject one to an unpleasant bath in the Styx. The next point of interest is LAKE LETHIE. A strange feeling creeps over us as we look for the first time upon this quiet pool of water and the little - I I 0ammowth Cave. boat moored to its recently discovered shore. On each side is a wall of massive rock, and overhead an arched ceiling spans the chasm ninety feet above the water. We are now about three hundred and seventy-five feet beneath the surface of the earth-beyond the reach of light or heat, burn the sun never so fiercely. No sign of life is here, save what we bring and will soon take away again. No carking cares pursue seething, fret- ting humanity to these dreary halls. We have for- gotten the outer world, absorbed in transports of awe and admiration. This is the end of our explorations in this direction to-day. To-morrow we will begin at this point the far more interesting work of navigating the rivers and exploring halls of matchless brilliancy, more charming in scenic effect than oriental palaces. We will now retrace our steps over the Styx by the bridge and examine for a few minutes THE BACON CHAMBER. This is a low cavern in one of the grottoes putting off from River Hall. It is mostly interesting for the peculiar formation of its ceiling. The pendant masses of limestone rock bear a striking resemblance to hams of meat. A little to one side there is wrought into the ceiling a huge inverted kettle or large bell without a clapper. These fantastic formations were all carved into the solid rock by the action of water. But how the water was enabled to act against gravity is not so clear to my mind. One theory, however, presents - - .I 40 MJammoth Cave. 41 itself as a solution to the question. This ornamented ceiling is just a little above the present high water mark, and as there is a vast deposit of sand upon the floor, it is natural to suppose that the water rose period- ically high enough to touch the ceiling, and by contin- ued waving motions succeeded in carving out these formations, resembling the contents of a smoke house As our allotted time is about expired, we will hasten back, thread again the Winding Way, probably under protest; fight our stooping battles over again; emerge from beneath the Scotchman's Trap, and quench our thirst at Richardson's Spring. The guide now brings forth the basket, whose savory contents are eagerly ap- propriated. The sandwiches and cold chicken vanish from sight as the frost before the rays of the morning sun. Our physical forces are renewed, and we inwardly thank "The powers that make mankind their care, And dish them out their bill of fare." THE ATMOSPHERE is a mild nitrous oxide, so cool and bracing that we may journey for miles without feeling exhausted. The pro- portions of oxygen and nitrogen bear the same rela- tion to each other in the atmosphere of the cave as they do in the air of the outer world, but the average of many observations shows the carbonic acid gas to be much less. In the dry parts of the cave there are about two parts of carbonic acid gas to ten thousand parts of air. In the vicinity of the rivers there is still 1 r_ - I 1 - Mammoth Cave. less of the former. In those parts not commonly vis- ited and not frequented by bats, no ammonia has been detected, nor have the most delicate reagents shown the slightest trace of azone. The amount of moisture varies in different parts of the cave. The hygroscopic properties of the nitrate of lime that is found in many of the rooms prevent the putrefactive decomposition of all animal matter. De- funct animals will mummify rather than decompose. The bodies of two Indians were found in the cave many years ago. They were dry and well preserved. Delicate females frequently do the long journey. It is their almost universal testimony that they have experi- enced more fatigue from a single hour's shopping than from this underground journey of eighteen miles. Some languor is usually felt after coming into the warmer air of the outer world, but the refreshing sleep usually enjoyed on the following night exercises a pow- erfully restorative influence. ON THE RETURN. As we have two points of great interest still before us, we press onward, pausing occasionally to inspect some points of interest too hastily passed before. In a short time we again enter the main cave, behind the Giant's Coffin. We can not recognize the pecu- liar shape of this rock till we come round in front to the point from which we first viewed its singular pro- portions. - i - Mamrnboth Cave. 43 THE ACUTE ANGLE. This is the point at which we left the main cave a few hours ago, and just here we will take up the clue and pursue our observations in this high hall. The same architectural analogues are apparent at every step, and the ceiling is covered with grotesque pictures of men and beasts. Our eyes have become so accustomed to the pitchy darkness that we see even better now than at any time before. THE DESERTED VILLAGE. Just beyond the angle of the main cave, there are still standing the roofless remains of several stone cabins, which were erected over a quarter of a century ago. These were occupied by a number of consump- tives, who for a time took up their quiet abode here, hoping to be benefited by a permanent residence in the cave. I believe there were fifteen of them. They entered in September, 1843, and remained till January. Three of the number died here, and the rest not feeling materially benefited, left the cave, and nearly, if not quite all of them, died soon after. EFFECTS UPON ANIMAL AND VEGE- TABLE LIFE. As a sanitarium, the cave will probably never be a success. Since the sun is the great source of light, heat, and therefore life, it is hardly probable that the pro- tracted absence of its influence can be of any therapeu- -_4 _ I - I -44 Mamjofth Cave. tic value in chronic diseases. The contrary may be expected, except in some cerebral affections. A number of trees of various kinds were planted near these cabins, and notwithstanding they were carefully irrigated, they showed no more signs of budding than if they had been stone or iron. The first time we en- tered the cave, the sapless remains of some of the trees were still standing as so many witnesses, bearing testi- mony to the fact that the light of the sun is as neces- sary to the life, health and growth of plants and trees as moisture or warmth. The absence of any one of these three conditions for a considerable time, is equally fatal to vegetable life. No experiments have yet been made to ascertain the effect of this intense darkness and strange stillness upon persons in health. It is said that the cattle that were used in the cave grew sleek and fat in a few months, without extra feed. Persons in ordinary health, or even invalids, stimulated by the novelty of new and beautiful sights at every advance, may remain in the cave for a few hours, or even days, without sustaining either temporary or per- manent injury. Short and easy trips into the cave have been known to effect a cure in chronic dysentery and diarrhaea, when all other measures had failed. In the case of those consumptives who spent several months in the cave, it is probable that what they may have gained from a stimulating atmosphere of uniform temperature, was fully counteracted by the absence of solar influence, and while they grew no better, they were probably no worse than they would have been I - - Mammotr h Cave. had they never entered the cave. They grew rapidly worse, however, after leaving the cave, for want of the stimulus to which they had become accustomed, as they all succumbed so soon after returning into the less bracing atmosphere of the outer world. This is conclusive evidence that the absence of light favors the development of the tubercular diathesis. Hopeful, as consumptives generally are, the pros- pect could not have been very pleasing at best. Just imagine a company of more than half a score of cadaverous-looking beings, ill-favored and thin as Pha- raoh's lean kine, wandering hither and thither in dark- ness, or like specters in the dim light of their tapers, breaking now and then the almost painful stillness by a still more painful and sepulchral cough! Can such a gloomy prospect give rational promise of benefit to the patient AMERICANISM. While we are trying to divest ourselves of the sad impressions left by the above picture, we will just step into this dreary old hospital-ward of a cabin, and take a look at the inside. Every crack is made the recep- tacle of cards of business firms in every city in the Union. The floor is littered over with a legion of ghastly fragments, which, like the dead in Westmin- ster Abbey, were obliged to yield their places, to make room for their successors. After a time these too must yield to the overwhelming torrent that fol- lows. Au agent of a well-known sewing machine - - I 46 6ammnnoth Cave. manufacturing establishment, obliterated at a single stroke a whole legion of the smaller fry, by stretching up a circular of mammoth proportions. THE STAR CHAMBER. A little farther along the avenue enlarges in every direction, assuming the dimensions of a vast elongated dome, reserving its characteristic entablature, archi- trave frieze and cornice complete, but on a proportion- ately grander scale. The concave ceiling is covered with a dark incrustation of iron and manganese, in- terspersed with shining crystals of gypsum or diapha- nous selenite, giving the whole, in the dim light of our lamps, a striking resemblance to the starry sky. Though a miniature edition of the great starry universe, the illusion is wonderfully complete. Still we feel assured that this is not our native sky, for not a single familiar constellation appears above the horizon. By consent of the party, the guide will here assign us the most eligible point from which to witness a rare exhibition of light and shade. He takes all our lamps and passes slowly away, but in such direction as to throw the combined force of the lights .upon the high vaulted ceiling, thus bringing out beautiful con- stellations of a wonderful variety of magnitudes. When the proper angle is reached, the rays of light are re- flected from an elongated, wing-shaped crystal, pro- ducing a beautiful comet of great size and brilliancy. The likeness of the starry heavens is now so complete that we gaze in mute astonishment. The guide - - - 46 Mammoth Cave. passes, by detour, behind the rocks, leaving us in the blackest of darkness, to enjoy our own reflections. Though we can hear the muffled throbbing of our hearts, as the vital fluid is forced through the system, the death-like stillness sooii becomes painful. The minutes begin to drag their weary lengths, and we begin to feel as if the whole machinery of time were moving slower and slower, with a constantly re- tarding velocity. Just as it is about to stop, to our great relief, we catch a gleam of dim twilight, loom- ing out from a frightful-looking chasm on our left casting the shadow of a projecting rock upon the op- posite wall. See its spectral visage, like the ghost of Hamlet, stealthily approaching us! Ah, it is gone! and all is again inky darkness, worse than before. What! was this an illusion-one of those incohe- rencies of mind which it is said invariably attack and bewilder persons lost in the cave! No, it was the light of the lamps shining through an aperture of the rocks, giving us a gleam of hope as they passed! Now we begin to attach a value to daylight which we never appreciated before. The guide, with all his lights, has again appeared in full view at another aperture farther beyond, from which point he again entertains us with a beautiful stellar exhibition and dissolving views. Arranging a part of the lights so as to enable us to take in the dim dimensions of this vast dome, giving everything an un- certain, ghost-like appearance, he again retires with - - - - I 47 Mammoth Cave. the rest, and approaches us by a different route, so as to cast the shadow of a projecting rock upon the ceil- ing, simulating an approaching thunder-cloud; reced- ing again slowly, the cloud again vanishes, leaving the sky clear, calm and serene as in a mild summer evening. We would fain linger here and gaze upon this min- iature firmament, but the guide intrudes upon our de- lightful reverie, by announcing that it is time to take up the line of march. FLOATING CLOUD ROOM. This is a magnificent hall, a quarter of a mile long, corresponding with the Star Chamber in width and bight. The appearance of clouds is produced by the scaling off of the black gypsum, exposing the white surface of the sulphate of soda beneath. The effect of this illusion is wonderfully charming. The clouds seem to float from the Star Chamber over the Chief city. PROCTOR'S ARCADE. This wonderful tunnel is beautiful beyond descrip- tion. It is one hundred feet wide, forty-five feet high and three-quarters of a mile long. The ceiling is smooth and the walls vertical, as if built by a mason. When this arcade is well lit up we feel that the descrip- tive powers of a Seneca could not do it justice. KINNEY'S ARENA. This hall, a hundred feet in diameter, contains a curiosity about which there has been much speculation. - - i i i Mammoth Cave. It is a stick of wood, several inches thick and three feet long, projecting out of the ceiling many feet above the floor. How this stick came there, or when, must long remain an unsolved problem. WRIGHT'S ROTUNDA. This large hall is beyond the S Bend. It is four hundred feet in its shortest diameter. The ceiling is about level, but the floor inclines so as to make it at one side about ten feet, and at the other forty-five feet lower than the ceiling. NICHOLAS' MONUMENT. At the eastern part of Wright's Rotunda is a column four feet in diameter, extending from the floor to the ceiling. This is known by the above name in honor of Nicholas Branford, the oldest cave guide now living, and still to be found in the vicinity of the cave. FOX AVENUE is about five hundred yards in length, and communi- cates with the S Bend and the Rotunda. Some distance beyond Wright's Rotunda the main cave sends off several avenues. That leading to the left leads to the Black Chamber, so called because the walls and ceiling are covered with a crust of black gypsum. This hall is one hundred and fifty feet wide and twenty feet high. It is gloomy enough to suit the most despondent of rejected lovers. Two avenues put off from this dark room. The former communicates with FAIRY GROTTO. I- - - 49 50Mammwoth Cave. This is a mile in length and contains a grand collec- tion of stalagmites. The other communicates with Solitary Cave, at the entrance of which there is a small cascade. TIE CHIEF CITY is situated in the main cave, beyond Rocky Pass. It is about two hundred feet in diameter and forty feet in hight. The floor is covered with piles of rock that present the appearance of the ruins of an ancient city. Three miles beyond this point the cave terminates abruptly. In other words it is blocked up by rocks that tumbled down from the ceiling, as at the end of Dickson's Cave. The Cave does not end here. Who ever will dig through the barrier may be well paid for his trouble. No mortal eye has ever beheld what lies beyond these rocks. It is not known for a certainty that any rocks have fallen from the ceiling in any part of the cave since the first white man ventured into it beyond sight of the entrance. BACK TRACK. Again we retrace our steps through this grand pan- orama of wonders, pass the Deserted Village, turn around McPherson's Monument at the acute angle, take our bearings at the Giant's Coffin, and move toward the entrance. In about fifteen minutes, or per- haps less, we begin to recognize familiar objects. The old pump logs and leaching vats on the left, remind us that we are near the entrance of the - 50 Mammonth Cave. GOTHIC ARCADE. Here we ascend the flight of steps fifteen feet high, on our left, enter an open passage leading off at right angles from the main cave. About forty yards beyond these wooden steps, in the left hand wall, is a little niche called the Seat of the Mummy. In this niche was found the body of EC squaw, as dry as a her- ring. She was dressed in the skins of wild animals, and ornamented with trinkets usually worn by the aborigines. A few feet from the niche was found the body of an Indian child, similarly dressed. When dis- covered it was in the sitting posture, resting against the wall. How long these bodies had remained there is not known. When found they were in a state of per- fect preservation. For a time they were exhibited through the country as curiosities, and finally deposited in Peale's Museum. We pass for the distance of a quarter of a mile, beneath a low, smooth rock, resem- bling the ceiling of a plastered room. Now we enter a considerable hall, that had originally a beautiful white coating of lime. This is called the REGISTER'S ROOM because the smooth rock over head is everywhere smoked over with names and rude characters or pic- tures of animals. These were placed here a long time ago. The proprietors very justly prohibit all such im- proprieties from being committed in these halls now. No candles are allowed to be taken into the cave. - - I 61 Mammoth Cave. It is not long since that imploring appeals were made for candles, instead of lamps, but the applicants were rebuked by peremptory refusal. This part of the cave, like the others, leads off in zigzag directions. It is stated by the guides that it even crosses the main cave on a different plane; though this is not certain, as no surveyor's compass is per- mitted to enter the cave; and for reasons we need not state. GOTHIC 01HAPEL. We next reach a picturesque little dome full of won- ders. The arch forming the roof is about thirty feet above the floor, supported by pillars of stalactitic form- ation so disposed as to make gothic arches of great beauty and regularity. How came these pillars here Some of them are thirty feet high and from one foot to three feet and upward in diameter. More than half a dozen of these pillars are in this hall; but whence came they It is worth the while to study them a little. Examine them closely and we find they are composed of carbonate of lime in crystals; or, in other words, crys- tallized limestone. We must come to the conclusion that they were carried here, set up in their places, and then cemented by water. At first this view seems unnatural and unreasonable, but most probably it is the only rational view after all. We have seen that the water, under certain circumstances, will dissolve the limestone and hold the fine particles in solution just as it will hold sugar or salt in solution. - I mammoth Cave. We also have shown that the cave was formed by the rocks being actually dissolved by cold water, and the particles of lime being carried away in a state of solution. It is this water, impregnated with dissolved limestone, that constitutes what is known as hard water. If we take a strong solution of salt and allow the water to evaporate, the salt will remain in beautiful crystals. If this solution of salt be allowed to drop at great in- tervals from a string, acting upon the principle of a syphon, there will form a pendant mass of crystalline salt about the string; this is called a stalactite. Just beneath the string there will be formed a crystalline mass of salt growing upward. This is called a stalag- mite. But this stalagmite will not be formed if the intervals between the drops are not sufficiently great to allow all the water of the first drop to evaporate and the salt to become crystallized before the occurrence of the next drop. If the drops fall a little too fre- quently they will melt away the stalagmite rather than occasion it to grow. These immense masses of limestone, weighing more than ten tons, were formed just in the way above described. The lime, held in solution hy the water, becomes crystallized under favorable circumstances. The pure water is taken up in an invisible form by the air, and whatever salt was contained in the water remains behind in a crystallized form; hence, rain water is always soft or free from salt. In the still air of the cave, perhaps one drop in twenty-four hours - - P.- - 5Mammnoth Cave. is quite as fast as the water could evaporate and form crystals of sufficient hardness to withstand the shock of the next drop, without being reduced to the liquid state again. The amount of lime in a single drop of water must be small when crystallized. It is more probable that one drop per week is quite as frequent as is consistent with the growth of a stalagmite, or even one drop per month might not be too slow to favor the most rapid growth. It will be borne in mind, if the drops occur only a little too frequently to favor the growth of a pillar, they will occasion its destruction. It is said that the growth of one of these pillars, in the space of thirty years, is about equal to the thickness of a sheet of writing paper. It requires about thirty sheets of paper to be equal to one-eighth of an inch in thick- ness, or two hundred and, say, fifty sheets to be an inch thick. Now, if it require thirty years to grow the thickness of one sheet of paper, it will require two hundred and fifty times thirty years (seven thousand five hundred years) for the growth of one inch of the pillars. The growth of a single foot would require, at this rate, ninety thousand years. As some of these pillars are thirty feet high, it is fair to suppose that they grew half the distance from above and half from below in the same time. At this rate, it would have required nine hundred and forty thousand years for the completion of one of these shady old props. If we bear in mind that these caverns have all been formed by the slow process of solution at low tempera- . I B4 Mammoth Cave. 55 ture, and that this process had ceased in this immense hall ere the foundation of these pillars was laid, we must come to the conclusion that mother earth is en- titled to reverence for age beyond what is usually paid to her. The Florida reefs afford another instance of proof of the great antiquity of this terrestrial ball. PERFORATE STALAGMITES. Sometimes little pendant masses of limestone, re- sembling icicles in shape, are found with a hole pass- ing through them, from end to end, straight and smooth as if bored with a gimlet. These perforations are probably formed as follows: A drop of water, hold- ing in solution a large quantity of lime, remains sus- pended from the same point, and as its supply is just equal to the evaporation, it never falls. By and by, a little ring is formed around the base of the drop, and since there is no evaporation inside of the ring, it can not be filled up by crystallization. A series of these rings is formed on the same principle, and the tube is constantly full of water, receiving its supply from that, that runs down the outside to the opening at the apex, where it is forced in and held by atmospheric pressure. As long as evaporation continues the tube is prolonged downward. THE BRIDAL CHAMBER. To young folks, it is an interesting little story that suggested the name of this hall. It runs thus: A ro- mantic young lady was here joined to the partner of her choice, notwithstanding the promise she made to I I her maternal parent, on the latter's death-bed, that she would not marry any man on the face of the earth- and she didn't. OLD ARM CHAIR. This is a large stalagmite, resembling an arm chair. It is considered one of the curiosities of the hall. There are, also, a great many others, worthy a passing notice, such as the Elephant's Head, Vulcan's Shop, Napoleon's Breastworks, the Pillars of Hercules, and Gatewood's Dining Table. These are all stalagmitic formations or incomplete pillars, their stalactites hang- ing over them. Many of these pendant masses were recently joined to their stalagmites, but not very firmly cemented; others may yet be joined together ages hence. It is pretty evident that the pillars were formed in the manner described, as they are all thinner at the middle than at the extremities. LOVER'S LEAP. Just a little beyond these interesting pillars, the floor is let down about fifty feet, and a long point of rock projects out over the Devil's Cooling Tub, and innumerable and unknown caverns beneath. We will now retrace our steps, and in half an hour find our- selves descending the wooden stairway into the main cave. Our day's work is almost complete. We have just seen the three great points of interest that are univer- sally acknowledged the grandest caverns of the kind - - _ - Mammoth, Cave. 56 Mammoth Cave. in the world. These are the Star Chamber, Gorin's Dome, and Stalagmite Hall. Whatever of grandeur or beauty they may possess entitling them to the dis- tinction of master pieces, they still lack the orna- mental embellishments of those enchanting palaces beyond the rivers. But of these we will have more to say on the morrow! We have now been in the cave about four hours, and as we enter the narrows, the outward current of air begins to play a hazardous game with our enfeebled lamps, but as we are in sight of day-light, we allow them to be extinguished. END OF THE SHORT JOURNEY. As we approach the little cascade, its peculiar hum- ming sound strikes the ear with a clearness not noticed before, and the sky seems to wear a brighter hue. We should linger some minutes at the floor of the cavern, in order to allow the eye and the lungs to become accustomed to the new conditions, before ascending into the bright sun-light and warmer air. After ascending the steps at the mouth of the cave, it is well for the tourist, especially if he have weak lungs, to rest at least ten minutes within a few yards of the break where the cool air of the cave is quite distinctly felt, thus becoming gradually accustomed to the warmer air of the outer world. If this precaution be neglected, sudden and severe prostration may follow. The line between the cool air of the cave, and the warm air of the outer world is so accurately main- tained that we may stand in the one and thrust the 8 afmmoth Cave. hand into the other, and feel the difference of temper- ature quite distinctly. The shadows of the trees and their leaves are noticeably dark, forming a strange con- trast with the bright sunshine. The harsh jargon of myriads of crickets and other insects, and the chirping of birds are soon lost upon the senses. The pupil of the eye, on coming out of the cave, is wonderfully en- larged, hence the strange appearances of the light and the shadow. If the eye be a strong one, it will soon correct itself, and everything will wear its natural ap- pearance again. VEGETABLE ODORS. Persons who have been long at sea, can smell the land when they approach very close to it. Coming out of the cave,the grasses, flowers, and leaves seem to ex- hale odors of wonderful sweetness. In some persons the sense of smell has become so acute by remaining in the cave a few hours, that the romance of a pure coun- try air is forever lost to them. Odors that were sweet to them before, have become distasteful, and in some cases even nauseous. This is very easily understood and needs no explanation. Ascending the hill to the hotel, we feel languid and oppressed with the close- ness of the air, but this soon passes off, and we are all the better for being one day's journey the wiser. OWNERSHIP. The cave, with seventeen hundred acres of land, is owned by the Crogban heirs. At the death of the _1 . I 6i8 dlfammotk Cave. original owner, Judge Underwood, of Bowling Green, became their trustee. The judge being well advanced in years, is about taking the necessary steps to obtain a decree of court to -enable him to sell the property. Should it fall into the hands of enterprising capitalists, it will probably become one of the most desirable, con- venient, and interesting summer resorts on the con- tinent. The soil in this part of Kentucky is unsurpassed in productiveness. The peach and the grape grow to great perfection, and rarely fail. Mr. A. L. Mallory showed me a fine peach-tree in his garden at Cave City, which I found on measuring to be six feet high and five inches around the tree at the ground. This tree sprung from the seed less than one year previ- ous, and was consequently the result of a single sum- mer's growth. Apples, too, and small fruit may be cul- tivated with profit. The seasons are mild compared with Southern Ohio. Spring opens about two weeks earlier in the regions of the cave than at Cincinnati. On the first of April the general appearances of Spring around Cave City were as strongly marked as they were at Cincinnati twenty days later. NATURAL BEAUTIES. This quiet retreat combines nearly all the advantages of a first-class summer resort. There is a bountiful supply of pure, sweet water, fresh air, and sunshine or shade, as we prefer. We are free from the noise, dust and bustle of crowded thoroughfares, surrounded by l- - - - B9 0Mammoth Cave. extensive shady forests, high hills, and deep, cool val- leys. The wild deer and wild turkey roam here at will, even at this day. It is just the place for a pleasure-seeker or invalid. Our every want is amply provided for by the obliging host. We are free to spend the evening as we choose, without conforming to the conventionalities of Long Branch or Saratoga. If we dance we will here enjoy it. In the absence of nearly every exciting cause, Nature claims her right, and we retire early, because we wish to. After the preliminary preparations, we bid the world good night, and Morpheus takes us gently into his embrace, and soars away to the land of pleasant dreams. Early next morning we are awak- ened from sweet slumber by the music of birds and the fragrance of roses stealing through the open window, and pervading our apartment. The highest degree of bodily health and mental vigor is generally found in connection with that condition of the system which accepts no more than the least amount of recuperative agent, capable of satisfying its real wants. To have slept just enough is a great lux- ury, while too little or too much sleep is equally inju- rious. We dismiss the god of dreams at once, and exclaim with Sancho Panza, " blessed be the man who first invented sleep," and add, by way of variety, the whole feathered tribe, and the floral dictionary. If they do occasionally cut short our morning nap, they also bring us closer to Nature's self. Our loss is doubly - - - 60 _Afammroth Cave. 61 restored in tasting the fresh, pure air, before it is tainted by the breath of any lazy man, and in witnessing the glory of an original sunrise. Breakfast over, we prepare for the long journey. THE GUIDES, being amply freighted with oil, matches, lights and refreshments, provide us again with newly-trimmed lamps, and we take up the line of march out through the garden and down the hill as before. The same sights greet us on every hand, and emotions similar to those of the previous day are awakened by the odors of fresh green leaves and the songs of the merry birds. The morning is too fresh and fair to be exchanged so soon for the darkness of night, but the guide leads on and we must follow. We will not go farther without saying a few words about the colored guides, Mat and Nick. Mat is a fair average specimen of the Anglo African race, improved by a considerable degree of culture, acquired by con- tact with scholars, professors of every science, and especially of geology and mineralogy. During the thirty years in which Mat has acted in the capacity of cave guide, he has collected a vocabulary of scientific terms that would do credit to a man of letters. Some- times he handles these musical phrases with as much skill and appropriateness in hewing down the barriers of ignorance as a mechanic who understands the use of his tools might display in swinging a broad axe. 1 I- - I 62 Mnammoth Cave. Upon some occasions he is really amusing, as well as somewhat instructive. No one should fail to secure Mat's services as guide. He is slim, tall and wiry, and fifty years of age. He was for many years the associate of Stephen-the world-renowned cave guide. Nick has also grown old in the service, and is still a faithful and efficient guide. Mr. Samuel Meredith, a native of the county, has long been familiar with the cave, and is acting as guide at present. During the visiting season quite a number of effici- ent guides will be employed, many of them making the trip every day. By this time we reach the floor of the cavern, and pass the cascade without fear. D I S C OVE R IE S. Previous to the year 1838 the only part of the cave familiar to the explorer was that from the entrance to the Bottomless Pit. In this year some bold adventurer passed the hitherto limit of subterranean knowledge, and was rewarded by the discovery of greater wonders than had yet been seen; but the dangers incurred in reaching them increased in like proportion. So great and daring a feat, and yet so successful an enterprise, could not long go begging for a rival. In 1840 the rivers were navigated and crossed for the first time by living human beings. - Mammoth Cave. A SECOND VIEW. For about two miles we follow the path of yesterday. We feel a peculiar satisfaction in viewing a second time some of the curious sights we saw on the previous day. A little reflection, after a sound sleep, seems to dis- robe many curious things of at least a part of their enchanted garments. We pass the Narrows, the first vats, the pump logs, and enter the Rotunda. So far we have the same impressions we had from the first, nor do we fear that such will not be the case with all the rest; but judgment sometimes runs against the impenetrable rock of reason, and we are compelled to change base. To illustrate: We may entertain a favorite opinion of this or that theory, and stear clear of all objections many times and yet fail in the next attempt. This fact was exemplified by one of the cave guides, who had made the trip successfully ninety- nine times, and yet knocked himself down on the hundreth by running his head against a rock project- ing from a low ceiling. We will not stop to make new observations, but pass on to the angle of the main cave, one mile from the entrance. Having reached this point, we turn around the Giant's Coffin to the right, leave the main cave by creeping down toward the Deserted Chambers, and by some strange fatality, bump the sorest part of our head against the identical peak that reminded us so forcibly on the previous day of the old lady's instructions to - - M4ammroth Cave. Thales, viz: "Keep the head from among the stars while the feet are on the earth." If Hannemann, the father of Homceopathy, had converted himself into a troglodyte, and passed down this way several times, re- ceiving each time a greeting similar to ours, what an innumerable quantity of bitter pills humanity would have been obliged to feed upon; for he would not have subscribed to that famous motto of his adherents, viz: " Similtia similibus curantur." Reassured that a repetition of the cause will not remove the effect, we pass on through the Deserted Chambers, by the Bot- tomless Pit, over the Bridge of Sighs, along the Arched Way, leaving the Winding Labyrinth and Gorin's Dome to the right, and enter Revelers' Hall. In this wild, irregular, triangular cavern, we might easily mis- take the way, and traverse Pensacola Avenue, pass beneath Snowball Arch and enter Wild Hall, but for the sagacity of the guide, who leads us gently as lambs right into the Scotchman's Trap. We take another look at this arrested dead-fall, and wonder at the slen- der thread upon which many of the chief pleasures of life are suspended. Satisfied that there is no danger of the Trap being sprung while we are in it, we pass down the steps, begin to do penance by stooping, for we have entered the Valley of Humility. This terminates by entering, at almost right angles, a higher passage, the part of which leading to the right being known as Bunyan's Way, and that to the left Buchanan's Way. We I- - 64 MaJmmoth Cave. follow that bearing the name of our late chief magis- trate. Just forty yards from where we entered this grotto we turn off to the right into Fat Man's Misery. If we are a little stout we must keep the channel, lest in striving to escape Scylla we wreck upon Charybdis. After threading this sinuous passage its whole length, we are thrust into Great Relief, with a feeling some- what akin to that experienced by the successful appli- cant for a post-office, after having worked his way through the crowd and gained admittance to the audi- ence-room. Here we take a breathing-spell, and ex- perience great relief in another sense. Passing on now to the right, we soon enter River Hall, and the Bacon Chamber. A little further forward is the Dead Sea, whose dreary depths are as calm as if oppressed with the gloom that constantly hovers over it. The river Styx probably ran through this quiet pool before the channel was cut to its lower level. Time has changed the character of these pools and streams, but most probably the changes will not be so apparent in the future; as the streams in the cave, being connected with Green river, will never find a lower level than that of the aforesaid stream. Off to the right is a high, open grotto, that may be followed for miles in its zigzag directions, crossings and wind- ings. At one place there is a grotto of great size, cut right across another, and considerably deeper, just as a furrow in a cornfield is cut across and deeper than an- other. This is a strange freak, and the only instance .1 - - - - 6S 6Mammoth Cave. of the kind we have seen. In the deeper furrow, a troop of cavalry might ride off in either direction. This passage is not shown to visitors. An open pas- sage leading forward from River Hall to the River Styx will give us access to Charon's Boat. This fabled craft has become rather old and frail, and the old gen- tleman has very wisely hauled it 6ff. Parties may still take a trip on the River Styx in a boat of modern build and ownership. Viewed from the bridge that spans this river, the effect of the spectral scene, reflected from the dark waters of the fabled stream, is strange indeed and impressive beyond comparison. As the party approaches the shore, a Bengal or Calcium light hightens the beauty of the scene. PASSAGE OVER THE STYX. In mythological times, Mr. Charon seemed to mo- nopolize the ferry business, and so unpopular did he be- come that no one patronized his ferry, except under pro- test, and I believe to this day there may be found plenty of tourists who would rather swim the Styx than step into the old curmudgeon's boat. Happily we are not left with this alternative, for we have a natural bridge spanning the Styx in the cave, and over this parties usually pass, without paying any toll. We take the road leading to the left in River Hall, and pase over the bridge. Part of the time our path lies close to the right of the grotto, and then we cross over a narrow bridge to the left. Here there should be put up a firm iron railing to provide against every possibility of - - 66 Mammoth Cave. danger, though no one has ever been injured beyond a fright. We stoop in order to go safe, and creep along about thirty yards when we cross over to the right and descend a steep stairway that brings us down nearly on a level with the Dead Sea. Passing on a little fur- ther we begin to go up grade and enter a passage some- what lower and narrower. A few rods further and the ceiling springs ninety feet over our heads as we descend the slippery bank and stand on the shore of the Lethe. THE EMBARKATION. Thick, dreary darkness is before and behind us; the dark gray rocks on each side and over us, and at our feet lies a pool of water, whose surface never rippled by the breeze, looks calm as the face of an honest man in deep meditation. Moored by a stake driven into the sand, is a little boat, narrow, short, and shallow. This is the craft in which we intrust our most sacred treasure for a voyage over the Lethe. Shall we risk the voyage Why not The waters are calm, and there is not motion enough in the atmosphere to turn a feather. In these dreary realms no tempests hover over the waters. Afolus is locked up in his rocky cave, and can no more invade these dominions than can the rays of the sun. Why not risk the voyage in this craft Have we not entered upon the voyage of life in a bark infinitely more frail, without chart, com- pass, or experience, and the ship not so much as pro- visioned for a single day, and every foot of the way 67 6Mamnmoth Cave. beset with lurking dangers, tempests, strife, bicker- ings, jealousies, irreverence, dishonesty, and, above all, unkindness to ourselves Alas, poor humanity is al- ways straining at a gnat. With some such feelings we step into the boat, freight- ing her down within a few inches of her bearings. The guide now plies the paddle steadily, and skillfully, for we are entered upon a new field of explorations. The lights in the prow cleave the thick, murky darkness that closes around behind us, as the waters close around a fish. As we strain the vision to look out into' the dismal realm, like a wrecked mariner looking out for a friendly sail, or for land, an impressive feeling creeps over us and we meditate upon the singular relation we sustain toward the world and ourselves. We are afloat upon a river that the sun never shone on, far beneath the surface of the earth, and in the enjoyment of life, health and reason, and yet cut off from all communication with the outer world, except through the medium of the little boat and our lamps. THE GREAT WALK. Having gone fifteen or twenty yards, the perpendic- ular wall on our left gives way to a low sandy beach. On this we disembark and fasten the boat carefully to a stake placed here for the double purpose of anchor and landmark. Our path now leads over undulating sand deposits, many of them very large. In some of these the sand is very fine and white in others it is coarse and red. These heavy deposits seem to indicate 68 Mamnmoth1 Cave. a powerful current when the rivers are high. All along this part of the grotto the ceiling is high over our heads. It seems probable that the rivers began to flow between strata of limestone rock ages ago, cutting away the lower rock and leaving the upper which now forms the roof at various distances above the floor. The same characteristics obtain here as elsewhere. In ten minutes from the time we leave the boat at the Lethe, we come to the ECHO RIVER. This wonderful stream is the most interesting object in this part of the cave. Its water has a temperature of fifty-four degrees, and at some seasons of the year is so transparent that the bottom may be distinctly seen at a depth of fifty feet. This stream is naviga- ble for nearly a mile. It is about one hundred and fifty feet wide and contains water enough to float the largest East river or Mississippi steamer. A TRIP ON THE ECHO RIVER. We step into the square little boat and arrange our- selves upon the seats, consisting of boards laid across the gunwales. The vessel being properly trimmed we push off from her moorage and float gently with the current of the stream. Now the little craft is at the mercy of deep, silent water. On each side is a perpendicular wall a hundred feet high, vaulted over head by solid ma- sonry. On our right, more than half way from the water up the wall, a huge cornice projects ten or twelve - - 69 70 Mmmnotk Cave. feet out over the stream. This cornice is concave be- neath and ornamented with pendants resembling fret- work. On our left the wall gives way to a great deposit of fine sand, sloping gradually upward from the water's edge till it joins in places the descending roof at various distances from the river. The same outline is preserved, so far as we are enabled to pene- trate the darkness in either end of this vast corridor. Between these sand deposits on our left are several avenues leading off from the river. These communi- cate with our path further along. One of them passing over a high mountain of sand and rocks promiscuously jumbled together is called Purgatory. This path is fol- lowed by the explorer when the river is too high to pass beneath the arches. The peculiar feature of this region is the powerful echo that responds to every sound. One almost fancies that the .susceptible nymph, whose excessive love for Narcissus caused her to shrivel up and pine away till nothing remained but her voice, had taken up her abode among the beetling rocks overhanging this river. Whatever the renowned and valiant Don Quixote may have experienced during his enchantment in the famous cave of Montesinos, we doubt much whether it surpassed in sweetness the angelic chorus into which this nymph's voice still converts the simplest sounds for the entertainment of tourists. On our first visit to this place we would have been quite spell-bound but for the chagrin we felt at having left our flute behind. - - - - 70 Mammoth Cave. 71 We pass along the dark shore, avoiding all purgato- rial experience, when presently the river seems to have come abruptly to an end; but not so, for on our right there are a few feet of space between the rocky arch spanning the river and the surface of the water. Through this we are doomed to pass. We reverently lower our heads and guide the motions of the boat by pushing with our hands against the rocky firmament arching over us. After going a few lengths of the boat we are again unable to reach the roof, for it springs up as suddenly as it was lowered. We can stand up at full length and only occasionally touch the rocks beneath which we are carried with the accelerat- ing velocity of the stream. After going half a mile or more our ears are greeted by the unwelcome sound of falling water. As we rush on, louder come the dole- ful cluckings of the waves that roll into the little coves on both sides of the strea.L Faster and faster sweeps our boat into this Hellgate; louder and fiercer come the sounds from the cascade, till they begin to excite alarm. The guide keeps on as if he neither saw nor heard aught, and but for his coolness we might become desperate under the suspense. Suddenly he turns the boat into a little rocky inlet on the left side of the stream, where we disembark and fasten the craft securely to her moorage. Should our boat by any mishap get away from us here, or our lamps be extinguished, or our oil be consumed, without any means of supplying the want, we could no I. - - I I I Mammoth Cave. more find our way out than fallen man could find his way to a better world without the lights of Christian faith and revelation. Though fogs sometimes arise here, no misfortune has yet befallen any tourist. The guides understand their business too well to allow any such thing to happen. They never attempt the long journey without having made ample provision for every contingent emergency. Should a party remain in the cave beyond the proper time, a guide is sent in search of them. But such a necessity has not arisen in the space of many years. CASCADE HALL. After climbi ng over a rough ledge of irregular rocks we finally reach dryer and safer footing. We pass around a sharp pillar of dark gray limestone and are ushered into a romantic cavern. Judge of our surprise at dis- covering the cause of our consternation-a small stream of water, not much thicker than a gentleman's cane, issuing from an orifice in the ceiling and dashing upon the rocks some thirty or forty feet below, and finally disappearing through a funnel-shaped hole in the floor. This is the wildest and most romantic cavern beyond the Styx. It has an area of from a quarter to half an acre, irregular and picturesque on every side. The floor is almost impassable with rocks and rubbish that have fallen at intervals from the ceiling. It is a fit habitation for the gnomes, who until recently held un- envied and undisputed possession. - Mammooth Cave. 73 SILLIMAN'S AVENUE, a passage, seven or eight yards wide, from fifteen to twenty yards high, and a mile and a half long, begins at Cascade Hall. The floor is very irregular, owing to portions of the ceiling having tumbled down from time to time, perhaps centuries ago. Either wall has a well-defined cornice of shelving rock, near the roof of the cavern, which gives it a heavy architectural finish. On each side of this grotto little avenues put off, wind through the rocks, and finally return to the main cave again. DRIPPING SPRING. This is a pool of water receiving its supply from the ceiling. A slippery place close by is known as the In- fernal Regions. The Sea Serpent is a tortuous crevice cut by the action of running water into the ceiling over- head. Beyond the Hill of Fatigue is the stern of an immense ship, with her rudder hard-a-port. Next is the Rabbit-a large stone resembling in shape the ani- mal whose name it bears. OLE BULL'S CONCERT ROOM is on the left of Silliman's Avenue. It is thirty feet wide, forty feet long, and twenty feet high. When the inimitable violinist made his first tour through the United States, he visited the cave and performed in the hall that still bears his name. He probably gave this hall the preference, because the proportions of its ml 1 I I 4Mammoth Cave. length, width, and bight are nearest to those of a hall built in conformity with the well-known laws of acoustics. RHODA'S ARCADE. This is a charming ball putting off from Silliman's Avenue, about one mile from Cascade Hall. It is five hundred yards in length and from five to ten feet in bight. The walls and ceiling are covered with crystals of gypsum, and the floor is strewn with brilliant frag- ments that have been detached from their place of formation. LUCY'S DOME. This is the highest dome yet discovered in the cave. It is more than three hundred feet from the floor to the top, while its lateral diameter is only about sixty feet. Its mural embellishments are one continued series of curtains from the top to the bottom. It may be reached by passing through Rhoda's Arcade. About one mile and a half from Cascade Hall, a steep bluff divides the avenue into two separate grottoes; that on the left still bears the name of Silli- man. We may follow it over a mile further with- out coming to any definite result. Tons of fibrous gyp- sum, white as snow, and fragments of alabaster of various colors are found in great abundance among the shelving rocks. Leading to the right is the PASS OF EL GHOR. For the distance of a mile and a half, El Ghor is a distorted labyrinth of beautiful and surprising sights; - - - 74 a.- Jfammoth Cave. now narrow and lofty, now flattened out between hori- zontal strata of limestone, whose broken edges assume the most remarkable forms. Here is a little vestibule with moldings and friezes of the gothic style of architecture; beyond is a Cretan labyrinth of the most singular and uncouth propor- tions, terminating in a series of ramifications leading to several tiers of avenues. It were too tedious to describe every particular ob- ject in detail, therefore we pass over to the points of greatest interest and beauty. Among these are the Hanging Rock; the Fly Chamber, in which a profusion of specks of black gypsum resemble a legion of flies upon the walls and ceiling. Table Rock is twenty feet long and projects ten feet from the side of the hall. It is only two feet thick. The Crown is about six feet in diameter and ten feet from the floor, on the right side of the hall. Boone's Avenue, leading off to the left, has been ex- plored about a mile. It contains nothing of interest. Corinna's Dome, forty feet high and nine feet wide, is just over the avenue. The Black Hole of Calcutta is on the left side of the avenue. Stella's Dome is two hun- dred and fifty feet in hight. It is reached by an ave- nue in the left wall of the Pass of El Ghor. A series of pending rocks in this part of the hall is called the Chimes, because they emit a sound when struck by the hand. - 6Mammoth Cave. HEBE'S SPRING is four feet in diameter and a foot and a half deep. The water contains sulphur. Half a mile beyond this spring the pass communicates with Mystic River, the extent of which is unknown. MARTHA'S VINEYARD. We will next climb up this ladder about twenty feet, and creep through a bole in the ceiling large enough to admit one at a time without any inconvenience. Now the passage leads gradually upward, as if it had been dug out by rabbits or marmots for their special habita- tion. Here a large vine springs up the wall from the base, reaching nearly to the top, where it supports a dense mass of foliage and clusters of grapes of won- derful size, their rich tints of blue and violet shining through the water that trickles over them. The plump, shining fruit, forever ripe and forever unplucked, clusters so thickly together as to hide the leaves of that subterranean vintage. WASHINGTON HALL. A little way beyond the vineyard, the grotto turns to the left and becomes more level on a higher plane. Here we enter Washington Hall, a beautiful circular dome, over one hundred feet in diameter. The sub- dued color that lingers about the periphera of this hall, in spite of our lights, gives it an air of wonderful an- tiquity, almost too sacred to be devoted to no holier - 76 amwmoth Cave. 77 purpose than that of a dining hall, and yet this is the almost infallible practice of visitors. Cans of oil are kept in this room, from which the lamps are replen- ished while the tourists are regaling the inner man. Marion's Avenue begins at Washington Hall and leads to Paradise, Zoe's Grotto, and Portia's Parterre. ELINDO AVENUE. Here begins this splendid avenue, about twenty yards wide, six or eight yards high, and two miles long. This is a charming hall, white as snow, dotted with spark. ling crystals of gypsum. The diamond grotto and gardens of sparry efflorescence in the gleaming vaults of this magic hall, almost bewilder the senses. THE SNOWBALL ROOM. This is a beautiful hall, reminding one of the sports of yore. The walls and ceiling are mottled with spots resembling those made by throwing a snowball against a solid wall. We almost fear to examine the little pyramids, lest they should soften by the heat of our lamps and drop off. Surely the gnomes must have been a rollicking set of roysters when they were yet younger. Latterly they have grown very sedate and shy, for I am informed that not one has ever allowed itself to be either seen or heard. Next is CLEVELAND'S CABINET of Crystals, whose brilliant scintillations and wonderful richness captivate us as completely as did the diamond I - - - - j i I. 8Mammoth Cave. eyes of Juggernaut the Hindoo. This magnificent hall is a mile and three-quarters long, sixty feet wide, and from ten to twenty feet high. Its variegated and bril- liant display surpasses anything we have yet seen. The following are some of the finest parts of it: Mary's Bower, fifteen feet high and forty feet in length. The walls and ceiling are covered with white rosettes. The Cross-two crevices intersecting each other at right angles, twined with flowers of gypsum. Mammary Ceiling-nipple-shaped projections. The Last Rose of Summer, about eight inches in diameter, pure ala- baster and white as snow. Bacchus' Glory-a little alcove lined with nodules of gypsum, resembling grapes. St. Cecilia's Grotto, Diamond Grotto, and Charlotte's Grotto, are all too brilliant and enchanting to be described. All these formations bear a wonderful similarity to branches of vines, leaves and flowers in the organic world. THE FLOWER GARDEN; Here is a conservatory for inorganics, stocked with the indigenous flora as well as with exotics. White roses and sunflowers, daises and lilies, the convolvulous, and the feathery chalices of the cactus hang in bewildering profusion from the crevices. The night-blooming cereus flourishes here without fear of the advancing morn blasting its fair fame. The scarlet of shame never blushes the tulip, for it is here a virgin pure and white as snow. Long, snowy, pendant wreaths of cac- -I - 78 Mammoth Cave. tus flowers trail their fringes upon the floor. The pas- sion flower, the iris, and bunches of celery, that might tempt the appetite of a fairy, flourish and sparkle on every side. Rock-blossoms, fair as alabaster, mingled with those of every shade of color, vegetate in great profusion upon the walls and along the crevices in the ceiling. ROCKY MOULNTAINS. From the farther end of Elindo Avenue may be seen a huge pile of rocks, heaped one above the other to the hight of a hundred feet. As we gaze upon their dim outlines, we may easily imagine them to be miles away, and their bight to be equal to the bight of the Andes. Far above these, like a dark cloud in the night, may be seen the ceiling whence these rocks tumbled in pro- miscuous ruin down. CLEOPATRA'S NEEDLE. On the very top of this mountain there is a pretty little stalagmite, two feet high, and six inches in diam- eter. This shows that these rocks must have tumbled down ages ago. DISMAL HOLLOW. Beyond this mountain is an unexplored valley, named by Stephen (its discoverer) Dismal Hollow. What beauties or wonders, fraught with abundant dangers, lie beyond this point, must long remain subject to con- jecture. At the mountain the cave divides into three branches. - - - - 79 8atamMoth Cave. That leading to the right terminates in Sandstone Dome. The sandstone found in this dome may be taken as evidence that the top of it reaches near to the surface of the earth. Another evidence which seems to corroborate this, is, the existence of numerous liz- zards, crickets, and rats in this part of the cave. CROGHAN'S HALL. Some distance along the ridge of the mountain, is the entrance of a cavern opening to the left; this leads to Croghan's Hall, in one side of which the floor has dropped down into a deep pit, in which darkness reigns supreme. FRANKLIN AVENUE is the central path and leads from Dismal Hollow to Serena's Arbor, a distance of a quarter of a mile. SERENA'S ARBOR is a beautiful cavern, twenty feet in diameter and forty feet high. The walls and ceiling are highly orna- mented with crystals and semi-transparent stalactites. These being sonorous, give out a musical tone when struck by the hand. This is called the music of the cave. In the awful stillness of this dreary region this music produces a singular effect. THE MAELSTROM. This is a pit thirty feet in diameter and of unknown and unexplored depth. The openings of avenues are visible at considerable distance down the pit, but these - - 80 Jfammoawt Cave. have never been and probably never will be explored. In the summer of 1859, William Courtland Prentice attempted to explore this region by descending into the Maelstrom. He was let down in a basket attached to a rope arranged with pulleys. The working of the apparatus was then entrusted to the management of some young friends of the bold adventurer. Several accounts of this perilous descent have been published. It has been made the thread of a spirited narrative poem, by George Lansing Taylor, from which we take the following extract The poem is entitled IN THE MAELSTROM. "Down I down I downI Into the darkness dismal; Alone-alone-alone- Into the gulf abysmal, On a single strand of rope, Strong in purpose and in hope, Lighted by one glimmering lamp, Half extinguished by the damp, Swinging o'er the pit of gloom, Into the awful stillness, And the sepulchral chillness, Lower him into the Maelstrom's deeps, Where Nature, her locked-up Mysteries keeps; Lower him carefully, Lower him prayerfully, Lower and lower and lower, Where mortal never hath been before, - - - - i i 81 Mammoth Cave. Till he shall tell us, till he shall show, The truth of the tales of the long ago, And find, by the light that the lamp shall throw, If this be the entrance to hell or no." In descending, the adventurer encounters a water fall, or cascade, which is thus beautifully described: "But behold from rocky wall, Circling round the shaft below, Spouts a crystal waterfall; All its coarseness, And its hoarseness, When he sees how fair their service is, Vanish, till, by aid of vision, Sounds infernal grow elysian. Now he swings anear the side Of this weird and wond'rous tide, Where its limpid billows slide, And its sheets, descending glide, Veiled in whiteness like a bride; Glistening where his lamp is beaming, Sparkling, flashing, glittering, gleaming, Like a shower of diamonds streaming From the lap of Nature dreaming; Streaming downward, passing quickly, Sprinkling now upon him thickly, From the fissure far above him, As if all the Naiads love him, With so rich a love and tender, That they shower baptismal splendor; Floods of jewels for his visit Is't a flood of gems or is it That their kisses almost drown him" - - I MJammoth Cave. Enchanted by the beauty of these fearful depths, the young hero still demands to be lowered " Into the dark profound, A deep that ne'er did plumbet sound; Still he descends, And anxiously bends, Gazing down in darkness that never ends- Whose dimness, And grimness, And darkness, And starkness, And deepness, And steepness, And deadness, And dreadness, More frightful are made by his lamp's sickly redness; Till checked by sudden shock, He stands on solid rock, Ninety and a hundred feet From the friends who hold that cable; Will they lift it, are they able, Face to face, once more to greet He enters a hall, A huge niche in the wall, Where echoes unnumbered respond to his call, From a roof that impends Where a gallery extends, Till, bounded by distance, in darkness it ends. Now along its spacious flooring, Eager, pleased, he roams exploring; O'er obstructions, through wide chambers, Onward still he wends and clambers, - - l- - .1 84 .fammnoth Cave. Stalagmitic cones and masses Glitter every where he passes; Glitter through the gloom-like glasses; Shapes of beauty forming slowly, Arches, shrines, and altars holy; Groups of columns polyhedral, Like some rich antique cathedral; Nature's grand and gloomy glory, Fairer than the fanes of story. Thus he wanders, Roams and ponders, Through this gallery of wonders, Till a rocky barrier rising To an altitude surprising, All across the chamber closes And effectually opposes All his efforts to get o'er it, And he stands repulsed before it, Yet he sees the cave extending Onward till in distance blending With the darkness, as if Nature Were resolved to hold some feature Hidden still from mortal creature." These beautiful verses are thus vigorously closed, with, as might be expected, a promise of future great- ness and glory, for the hero of this daring adventure: -" Down in that depth, where no other has trod, Where writing was none save the writing of God, Was graven a name By that glimmering flame That shall live on the record of daring and fame." - -_ mammmoth Cave. 85 William Courtland Prentice, the hero of these verses, espoused the Southern cause, and was killed in an at- tack on the town of Augusta, Kentucky, in 1862. END OF THE CAVE. This is called the end of the cave. Though it is nine miles from the entrance, it is no more the end of the cave than is the last production of the sculptor or painter the end of art. Some mathematical troglodyte has estimated the whole series of caves, grottoes, halls and rivers at one hundred miles in extent. Whether it is more or less, we are unable to determine. We have now accompanied you to the distal end of the journey, and can not be so ungallant as to desert you here. We will guide you back leisurely to the entrance, pausing occasionally to glance briefly at what we had passed too rapidly. EYELESS FISH. These are of two varieties, and by no means plenty. In the one variety there are rudimentary eyes, and in the other no traces of such organs are seen. We saw a few of each variety, but found their size much less than we were led to suspect. It is said that specimens of these eyeless fish have been found six inches in length- We saw none over two and a half inches in length, and so transparent were they that every organ in the body could be easily seen with the naked eye especi- ally if viewed in a strong light. For full scientific reports of these fish, see American Journal of Science, I- - 86Mammnoth Cave. second series, volume seventeen, page 258, May, 1854, and volume forty-five, page 94, July, 1843; and New York Journal of Medicine, volume five, page 84,1845. EYELESS CRABS. These are also rather scarce, yet at low water some may be found by those who know just where to look for them. We saw a few that had been taken some time previous, and kept in an aquarium. These, too, seemed to be destitute of the power of hearing, but any motion imparted to the water seemed to create alarm. They probably have a high nervous sensibility, which is not inconsistent with their fair, soft, gelatinous appearance, in which they do not differ from the fish. It is thought that both the eyeless fish and the eye- less crabs found in these subterranean rivers are vivi- parous-bringing forth their young in the living state, differing in this respect from other fish, which are oviparous, or egg producers (excepting the mammals, such as the whale and porpoise). CR1 CKETES. Of these we saw but one, and it was not more than half a mile from the entrance. It did not differ from the variety usually found in dark and damp cellars. Its eyes were small, yet it showed unmistakable signs of recognizing the light of the lamp when brought near it. As one long incarcerated in a dungeon, it had lost that brown, healthy color peculiar to animals that move occasionally in sunlight. - - 86 Mammwth Cave. RAT S. These are exceedingly numerous or very restless, and more probably both, judging from the number of tracks every where seen between the entrance and the rivers, and we believe, too, beyond the rivers, as they most likely understand the kind of navigation adopted by the Teuton who came around the sea by land. We saw no rats, and there is no evidence that they are either blind or unable to hear, for they scamper away and hide at the approach of visitors. MAMIMOTH DOME. Spark's Avenue extends from River Hall to Mam- moth Dome, a distance of three quarters of a mile. This is a magnificent dome, two hundred feet in diameter, and two hundred and fifty feet high. Stand- ing beneath its mighty arch as the guides light it up, we are impressed with the awful grandeur of the place. BANDIT'S HALL. This hall is about sixty feet long and forty feet wide. The floor is covered with large rocks that have become detached from the ceiling so long ago that no trace of their fracture remains above to show where they came from. To the right of this hall is an unex- plored avenue of unknown extent. It is called Brigg's Avenue. Newman's Spine is a curious crevice in the ceiling, resembling in outline the vertebral column of some huge animal. - - 87 88Mammoth Cave. SYLVAN AVENUE. This is about three hundred yards long, extending from Spark's Avenue to Clarissa's Dome. This avenue is remarkable for the great number of ferruginous billets of limestone, varying from five to fifteen inches in diameter. They look like petrified logs of wood, some of them having half the bark stripped off. We have now been in the cave about eight hours, and it is time to retrace our steps to the entrance. Though we have traveled by land and water about twenty miles we feel as fresh and vigorous as if we had walked only a mile for exercise. Everything wears the same strange appearance as on the previous day. We linger about the entrance of the cave in com- pliance with the caution and reach the hotel in half an hour more conscious of hunger than of fatigue. Thanking you for the patience and forbearance with which you have so kindly followed us, we will take our leave of you by introducing the following beautiful poem: - - - - 88 Mzammnoth Cave. MAMMOTH CAVE. BY GEORGE D. PRENTICE. All day, as day is reckoned on the earth, I've wandered in these dim and awful aisles, Shut from the blue and breezy dome of heaven, While thoughts, wild, drear, and shadowy, have swept Across my awe-struck soul, like specters o'er The wizard's magic glass, or thunder-clouds O'er the blue waters of the deep. And now I'll sit me down upon that broken rock To muse upon the strange and solemn things Of this mysterious realm. All day my steps Have been amid the beautiful, the wild, The gloomy, the terrific. Crystal founts Almost invisible in their serene And pure transparency-high, pillar'd domes With stars and flowers all fretted like the halls Of Oriental monarchs-rivers dark And drear and voiceless as oblivion's stream That flows through Death's dim vale of silence-gulfs All fathomless, down which the loosened rock Plunges until its far-off echoes come Fainter and fainter, like the dying roll Of thunders in the distance-Stygian pools Whose agitated waters give back a sound Hollow and dismal, like the sullen roar In the volcano's depths-these, these have left Their spell upon me, and their memories Have passed into my spirit, and are now - - - 89 90 Mffammotth Cave. Blent with my being till they seem a part Of my own immortality. God's hand, At the creation, hollowed out this vast Domain of darkness, where no herb nor flower E'er sprang amid the sands, nor dews, nor rains, Nor blessed sunbeams fell with freshening power; Nor gentle breeze its Eden message told Amid the dreadful gloom. Six thousand years Swept o'er the earth ere human footsteps marked This subterranean desert. Centuries Like shadows came and passed, and not a sound Was in this realm, save when at intervals, In the long lapse of ages, some huge mass Of overhanging rock fell thundering down, Its echoes sounding through the corridors A moment, and then dying in a hush Of silence, such as brooded o'er the earth When earth was chaos. The great Mastodon, The dreaded monster of the elder world, Passed o'er this mighty cavern, and his tread Bent the old forest oaks like fragile reeds And made earth tremble; armies in their pride Perchance have met above it in a shock Of war with shout and groan, and clarion blast, And the hoarse echoes of the thunder gun; The storm, the whirlwind, and the hurricane Have roared above it, and the bursting cloud Sent down its red and crashing thunder-bolt; Earthquakes have trampled o'er it in their wrath, Rocking earth's surface as the storm-wind rocks The old Atlantic; yet no sound of these E'er came down to the everlasting depths Of these dark solitudes. Mammoth Cave. How oft we gaze With awe or admiration on the new And unfamiliar, but pass coldly by The lovelier and the mightier I Wonderful Is this world of darkness and of gloom, But far more wonderful yon outer world Lit by the glorious sun. These arches swell Sublime in lone and dim magnificence, But how sublimer God's blue canopy Beleagured with his burning cherubims Keeping their watch eternal I Beautiful Are all the thousand snow-white gems that lie In these mysterious chambers gleaming out Amid the melancholy gloom, and wild The rocky hills and cliffs, and gulf, but far More beautiful and wild the things that greet The wanderer in our world of light-the stars Floating on high, like islands of the blest- The autumn sunsets glowing like the gate Of far-off Paradise; the gorgeous clouds On which the glories of the earth and sky Meet and commingle; earth's unnumbered flowers All turning up their gentle eyes to heaven; The birds with bright wings glancing to the sun, Filling the air with rainbow miniatures; The green old forest surging in the gale; The everlasting mountains, on whose peaks The setting sun burns like an altar flame; And ocean, like a pure heart rendering back Heaven's perfect image, or in his wild wrath Heaving and tossing like the stormy breast Of a chained giant in his agony. - 91 92 Mammoth Cave. GEOLOGY. The following is an extract from an approximate section of the geological formations of the northern part of Edmonson county, Kentucky, by David Dale Owen, 1856: " On the south of Green river, the platform of lime- stone forming the descent into the Mammoth Cave is 232 feet above Green river. The entrance to the cave being 38 feet lower than this bed of limestone, is 194 feet above Green river. In the above 232 feet there are several heavy masses of sandstone, viz: at 125, 145, 150, 160 and 215 feet, but it is probable that most of them have tumbled from higher positions in the hill, as no alternations of sand- stone have been observed at these levels in the cave. From an elevation of 240 to 250 feet, the prevalent rock is sandstone without pebbles, which can be seen ex- tending up to 312 feet to the foundation of the cave hotel. The united thickness of the limestone bed on this part of Green river is about 230 feet, capped with 80 feet of sandstone. About midway of the section on this part of Green river are limestones of an obscure oolitic structure, but no true oolite was observed. Many of these limestones are of such a composition as to be acted on freely by the elements of the atmos- phere, which in the form of nitric acid combine with the earthy and alkaline bases of calcareous rock, and I I I. I MzmamoWt cave. 98 give rise to the formation of nitrates, with the libera- tion of carbonic acid; hence the disintegrated rubbish of the eaves yield nitrate of potash (saltpeter) after being treated with the ley from wood ashes and subse- quent evaporation of the saline lixivium. The wonderful cavernous character of the subearbon- iferous limestones of the Green river valley, and, in- deed, of these particular members of the subearbonif- erous group, throughout a great part of its range in Kentucky and Indiana is due, in a great measure, to this cause, together with the solvent and eroding effects of water, charged with carbonic acid. THE ROCK HOUSES frequently encountered, both in this formation and in the limestones of Silurian date, are produced by similar causes; the more easily disintegrating beds generally crumbling away while the more durable remain in the overhanging ledges. HOW THE CRYSTALLINE FLOWERS ARE FORMED. By the oxidation of other elements, sulphates of oxides of iron and alkalies, with carbonate of lime, give rise to the formation of gypsum, which appear in the form of rosettes, festoons and other imitative forms, on the walls and ceiling of the cave. Crystallizations of sulphate of soda and sulphate of magnesia are not uncommon, both in some of the caves and in sheltered situations under the shelving rocks. - I - i I 9lfammdoth ave. In one of the spacious halls beyond the Star Cham- ber, and through which the tourist must pass on his way to the Chief City, the sulphates of soda and mag- nesia in a very pure state are found in great quantities. CONCLUSION. We are frequently asked "At what season of the year can a visit to the Cave be most profitably made" To this we answer, from our own experience we prefer the month of June, though from May till November, in ordinary seasons, the whole of the cave may be thoroughly explored. The most beautiful parts of the cave being beyond the rivers, can not be visited from November till May, as the streams in the cave are usually so swollen that no one ventures beyond them. The rise and fall of these streams are known to be nearly fifty feet, filling up many of the passages alto- gether during a wet season. That part of the cave between the entrance and the rivers being much higher than the Green river, may be visited at any season, summer or winter. This is called the Short Journey, though the sum of its various avenues exceeds twenty miles in extent. Every tourist will do well to put himself unreserv- edly under the care of his guide, and above all he should not become separated from the party, as serious consequences have been known to result from inatten- tion to this important fact. 1 - -94 Mammnroth Cave. 95 TABLE OF DISTANCES ON THE LOUISVILLE NASHVILLE RAILROAD. The figures to the right of the name of the station show the distance from Louis- ville to each several station to Nashville. Those on the left, from Nashville to Louisville. NILES. STATIONS. MILES. STATIONS. MILES. 185 . . Louisville ...................... =891 ............ Rocky Hill ................. 96 178 . Randolph's Station ...........7 85............... Smith's Grove ............. 100 1.. . Brook's Station .............. 13 83 .......... O akland ............. 102 167 . Shepherdsville ................ 112176 .... , .Bri-tow ..............109 16.3.... Bardston lunetioi.. 2 22.2. . Bowling Green. 113 lGO .. Belmont .........2......5 !6 i ............-emphis Junction . 118 15... Lebanen Junction. 39) 6 '3. ich Pond...... 122 151.. Colesburg ........34. ..... Woodburn . ..... 125 143 Elizabethtown.............. 421 5.Franklin ...... 134 1351.Glendale ................ 50 45 .M1. . itchellville ...... 140 133.Nolin .........1 ....... 62.....Richland. ..... 144 130.Sonora ................ 5 6 39 Fountain Head...... 1146 126 . Upton's Station...... 59 3 .3 .South Tunnel. 152 119. Bacon Creek.. 66 ,6 Gallatin.... . 159 112 . Munfordsvlle............... 73 . 21.Pilot Knob.... 164 110 Rowlett's Station.. 75 1... Saundersonville.... 166 1o5 I... . Horse Cave. ... 180 15 Hendersonville-............... 170 102.Woodland ...... 83 10. Edgefield Junction............. 175 100. Cave City, Mammoth Cave. . .... M8. ; 7. . Madison................178 94 Glasgow Junction .............. 191 ..........Nahvill. ... 185 -, I I a a -

© 1999-2009 Kentucky Virtual Library

• xhtml 1.0 Strict