t-vOJ t^^^^MJ^,^^* I 1(^ ^< 'a^ >*'''^i C' H\ ^'- l-^^ ^^^ -^Cf^ ^^ 1?,^ r> ? O O' m lammoth ave, tv^lg- KENTUCKY. #\ % Mi ^1/ A, D, Binkerd, M. 2>. ^&-\i CINCINNATI ROBERT CLARKE & CO. 1869. Printers, lira J r,-f"t '/!^'ie< ?fif»yf«stta^«j;6sttaj^Sfii?afe4^»aA9' i'wpH^^^/^ ?<^^^^F^»^^^ » » D » » I ^^^^^^W^^^^^FV^^^^F^*'*^^^^^'"'^^' MAMMOTH CAVE. w >tS&h^J,^4^^^r-^<^%-%-^^-^s^'^:%^$'^^s ' ~i'~'^^v^^^^^ :md ^i ■<, -vt if / pp/^ry?jf^ pppp)^jrvyp j-^ 5. ■^'< ». t ^.?^/ THE And its Denizens : GUIDE. By a. D. BINKERD, M. D CINCINNATI: ROBERT CLARKE & CO., Printers, 65 West Fourtu Street. 18 6 9. *j> P'-|^^^ V»^ !y:|^ . )fJ(^_^^ . .^ j f^ . )iSr t^ .;ii ^|y4^^ l y{^g^^ •1' J 7?7, ;?. (i/v, Entered aocordiiitij to Act <>(' Coiinnss, in the year 1869, by A. D. BINKEllD, M. I), in the Clerks Otfict- of the District Court fur the tSouthern District of Ohio. To my 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. CONTENTS. Audubon's Avenue 18 Arched Way 30 American Eagle 33 Atmosphere 41 Acute Angle - 43 Americanism 45 Arm Chair 56 Ball Room 22 Bandit's Hall 87 Bottomless Pit 31 Bridge of Sighs 32 Bunyan's Way 34 Buchanan's Way 35 Bacon Chamber 40 Back Track 50 Bridal Chamber 55 Black-snake Avenue 29 Cave City 10 Cave Hotel 10 Cascade 12 Church 20 Corncobs 23 Chief City 50 Cascade Hall 72 Cleopatra's Needle 79 Cleveland's Cabinet 77 Crystal Flowers 93 Crickets 86 Croghan's Hall 80 Conclusion 94 Descent 14 Deserted Chambers 28 Page Dead Sea 38 Deserted Village 43 Discoveries 62 Dismal Hollow 79 Dripping Spring 73 Entrance 11 Exploring Parties 14 Earthquake 17 Effects Upon Life 43 End of Short Journey 57 Embarkation 67 Echo River 69 El Ghor 74 Elindo Avenue 77 End of Cave 85 Eyeless Fish 85 Eyeless Crabs 86 First Impressions 15 First Vats 16 Fox Avenue 49 Fat Man's Misery 35 Floating Cloud Room 48 Flower Garden 78 Franklin Avenue 80 Great Bat Room 18 Grand Arch 24 Gothic Avenue 22 Giant's Coffin 27 Gorin's Dome 33 Great Relief 36 Gothic Arcade 22 51 Gothic Chapel 52 Mammoth Cave. Pag;e Guides 61 GrREAT Walk 68 Geology 92 Hebe's Spring 76 In the Maelstrom 81 Kentucky Cliffs 20 Kinney's Arena 48 Locality 9 Lake Lethe 39 Lover's Leap 56 Lucy's Dome 74 Means of Access,.... 9 Main Cave 19 McPherson's Monument 28 Martha's Palace 29 Minerva's Dome 30 Martha's Vineyard 76 Maelstrom 80 Mammoth Dome 87 New Entrance 12 Natural Bridge 39 Nicholas' Monument 49 Natural Beauties 59 Narrows 15 Old Entrance 12 Ole Bull's Concert Koom.... 73 Ox Tracks 22 Odd Fellows' Links 36 0. & M. Rivers 37 Ownership 58 Pigeon Boxes 20 Pictures on the Wall 26 Proctor's Arcade 48 Passage Over the'Styx 66 Poem by Prentice 89 Perforate Stalagmites 55 Railroad Passengers 10 Rotunda 17 Rocky Hall 26 Richardson's Spring 30 Revelers' Hall 33 Rhoda's Arcade 74 River Hall 37 River Styx 39 Return 42 Register Room 51 Rocky Mountains 79 Rats 87 Rock Houses 93 Standing Rocks 23 Sources of Amusement 11 Second Hoppers 21 Steps of Time 29 Second View 63 Side Saddle Pit 30 Sounding Rock. 31 Shelby's Dome 31 Scotchman's Trap 34 Star Chamber 46 Silliman's Avenue 73 Snowball Room 77 Serena's Arbor 80 Sylvan Avenue 88 Temperature 13 Timepiece 25 Trip on the Echo River 69 Table of Distances 95 Valley of Humility 34 Vegetable Odors 58 Washington Hall 76 Wright's Rotunda 49 Willie's Spring 24 Wooden Bowl 29 Winding Labyrinth 32 KENTUCKY. LOCALITY. J^HE locality of the Mammoth Cave is in latitude 37° Korth, and longitude 9° West from Washington. Its only known entrance is in the 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 Une extending from Chicago to New Orleans. 10 Mammoth Cave. CAYE 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 drivers. The jaunt of nine 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 and fertile plains. EAILEOAD PASSENGEES, 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 CAYE 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 Marrvmoth 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. SOUECES OF AMUSEMENT. 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. ENTEANCE 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 1^ 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 ENTEANCE. Formerly, ingress was efl^ected 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 Gave. It contains nothing of special interest and is rarely visited. THE NEW ENTEANCE. 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 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 clanger, but having once entered the cave, a sense of secm-ity steals over us, and we dismiss fear. TEMPEKATUEE. In these rocky chambers the temperature is uniformly about 59° 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 sufiacient 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 1^ Maimnoth 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 tliis 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. EXPLOEING PAETIES. 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 Mammoth Cave. 15 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. FIEST IMPEESSIONS. 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 NAEEOWS. 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- plo^'cd in the manufacture of saltpetre or nitrate of potash, which was extensively collected here from 1808 16 Mammoth 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. FIEST YATS. Just beyond the JSTarrows, 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. Mammoth Cave. 17 THE EAETHQUAKE 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 inhabitant. THE EOTUNDA. 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 18 Mammoth Cave. floor. Several avenues put ofl" in cliiFerent 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. Ofi" 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 GEEAT BAT EOOM. 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. Mammoth 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, thinkiiag 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. JSTotwitstanding their diminutive size, they are nev- ertheless capable of inflicting a severe wound. If we hold one of them by the far 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 earnivora 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 ^0 Mammoth Cave. irregular. Some of the small passages putting off from the main cave, after prolonged and tortuitous 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 CHUECH. 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 Mammoth Cave. 21 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 told 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. SECGKD HOP PEES. 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 knoAvl- 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 w^orked over with profit every three or four years, Mannnoth Cave. thus affording an endless supply of the nitrate of pot- ash. GOTHIC AECADE. 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 wall 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 EOOM. 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-TEACKS IN THE EOCK. 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. 23 dry, and has been so for man}^ 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 COEN 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 brought 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 EOCKS. At the farther end of the Ball Room, there are several large fiat 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 these deserre special atrention. They are, perhaps, fifteen feet long and project ten feet above the floor. The one nearest the wall stands nearly perj^en- ?.:o:2lar, and has a heavy moldinfi: along the top. The :-er is about two feet thick, and stands parallel with :i-v first, three feet from it, bnt 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 onr garments. GEAXP AECH. 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 Ut up is one of the grandest aghts 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 contomplating its beauty. This arch is about fifty feet hiffh and sixtv feet wide. WILLIE 5 SPBIXG. 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 soHd limestone rock, and gathered itself into a spring or basin at the foot of the niche, Tastinsr the water, we 2/» tin-i :t i: . .. A ^'"tTe r^eetioa fc«ey apoa :a:-^ ,i . xemvri. exf^am- are re^. : r^i "o ^ u> earve ^eae- maBS'' '^ --^ goodJtTogg 1 ta. Tie 1: the Wats' «itt- t/. to do woric: it —it be in 7 . -&e evbooie a '^ '^ takesi^amd L .•- itawaj. Wh3e ti a Teiy low temp^- a~ r T every fnnHarfr lenewedi, bf ~ je eoatwaedL Wbile ^e waia- :' Enie. ^bs eartwfe aod — ' ^ie Kme m d^e rodk, rse wats^ to wM^ it -7 over the rocks. Tie peetdxaz- sKapes in tibe Tarioos eaTerns are due moaiT to two causes : first, tie fi^cent degrees of ao&dbilSy in the different parts of tfee aazne rock : aml^ seeond^ the car- rent or motion of tie water. The tooEsst will observe rrrJ.T]j &eaks of ^lape aod i£rectioii. ik me&si and cav- erns direetl V traeeable to Aie eaases above sfSDKZstted. IZZ IlitEPIZCE Behind some Icose r'loks :i the slow droppm^ of waror, iz i . i 26 Mammoth 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 uniformity of intervals between drops. EOCKY 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. !N"ot with- 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. PICTUEES ON THE WALL. Now we are upon the threshold of that part of the cave so full of wonders and attractions for all lovers of pictures. The prevailin : 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 fancif il appearance. "We pause Mammoth Cave. ^7 here a minute and look around, tracing out the difier- ent kinds of animals. In the dim hght 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 fiash 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 £8 MamTuoth Cave. makes an acute angle with itself, and just at the apex of the angle is McPHEESON'S MONUMENT. This is a rude pile of unhewn stone, erected hy his surviving stafl' 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 DESEETED CHAMBEES. 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. Maimnoth Cave. 29 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. MAETHA'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. 30 Mammoth Cave, EI CHA ED SON'S SEEING. The Avater does not only drop from above, but it also wells up from below : for liere 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. AECHEDWAY. 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 EIT. 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 MINEEYA'S DOME. These immense caverns extend downward and up- ward from the level of our path. They are so close to MamjJvotJt Cave. 31 the I'ight 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 EOCK. 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 W'Ork, 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, 3'B Marrmvoth Cave. reminding one of dropping nuts, or the falling of autumnal leaves, when the slowly rising morning sun unlocks the iay 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. ISo one ventures upon it. WINBIIjq^G LABYRINTH. Just beyond the little wooden bridge we turn ofi* 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 are upon the threshold of great wonders and indescribable beau- ties. This is Mammoth Cave. 33 GOEIN'S DOME, and the crowning attraction of the day's journey. By holding our Ughts in through this opening, we see a huo-e curtain of limestone a hundred feet long, sus- pended far above and stretching its wavy folds of petrous drapery man}^ 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 AMEKICAN 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. EEVELEES' HALL. This is a wild, triangular room, rough and irregular SJi- 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 pome 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 TEAP. 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 YALLEY 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 Maimnoth Cave. 35 that only perplex the explorer by bringing him into his old path again. That leading to our left is called BUCHANAN'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 oft" at right angles into that unique passage known as the Winding Way, or more familiarly as FAT MAN'S MISEEY. 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 eftbrt 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 difierent 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 oC) ManunotJi Cave. waves aud ripples stand out from the sides and bottom in bass-relief, as if the water had beeu suddenly cou- 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, aud devise some wa}-, if pos- sible, bj 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 Xeptune, when the voyager is about to cross the line for the first time. GEEAT EELIEF. This is a cavern of considerable size, entered at right angles by the wmding way. "SVe will follow it to the right. The same characteristics abound here as else- where. Xo odor of any kind is perceptible. The tem- perature is the same as near the entrance. There is no motion whatever in tlie air. Xo 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' LIXKS. Three large links of a powerful chain are stretched across beneath, and firmly adherent to the ceilinsr. Mammoth Cave. They are each aboat 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 :VIISSIS3IPPI RITEES. These prominent ridges, like the links, contain a trace of iron which resists the action of the water, while thie more soluble limestone is dis8