iron, and are' useful in cutaneous diseases. This
is a place of fashionable resort, where visitors
meet with every attention.

MAMMOTH CAYE, KY.

This stupendous wonder of nature is situated in
Edmonson co., about 90 miles S. from Louisville,
and about equally distant, in a N. E. direction,
from Nashville, Te. A large and commodious
hotel has been erected, two or three hundred paces
from the mouth of the cave, for the accommoda-
tion of visitors. The tourist leaves the stage
road about 6 miles from the entrance to the cave,
and passes through some of the most romantic
and beautiful scenery in reaching this public
house, where he finds every thing provided to
render his visit agreeable and instructive. It is
only within a few years that this cave has been
very extensively explored; and it is still sup-
posed that but a small part of it, in comparison
with the whole, has ever been trodden by the foot
of man. It has been estimated that the length
of all the different avenues and branches, when
added together, would make more than 600 miles.
As far as known, there are in the cave 246 ave-
nues, 47 domes, 8 cataracts, and 23 pits. The
darkness, deeper than that of the blackest mid-
night, which pervades these subterranean re-
cesses, and which is little more than rendered
visible by the torches which the visitors carry
with them, renders it difficult for the spectator
to form any thing like an adequate idea of its
vast dimensions, its great heights and depths in
the different apartments, and of the singularity
and beauty of the natural decorations they con-
tain. The recent attempt of an adventurous
artist, however, to obtain drawings of a number
of the different avenues, halls, and chambers, for
the purpose of illustrating the hidden wonders
of this natural phenomenon to the eye by the aid
of the beautiful illusion of the moving panorama,
has been, in a great degree, successful. The
different parts of the cave selected for this pur-
pose were illuminated by hundreds of lights,
placed at different points, so as to give the most
powerful and just effect to the ever-varying per-
spective within.

Immediately upon entering the mouth of the
cave, the visitor perceives a sensible change in
the temperature of the atmosphere, which is that
of 59° Fahr., and remains so uniformly, winter
and summer. No impure air exists in any part
of it; decomposition and putrefaction are un-
known ; and combustion is perfect. Visitors
going in and out are not liable to contract colds ;
but, on the contrary, colds are commonly re-
lieved by a visit to the cave. No reptiles of any
description are found here. It is a curious fact
that fish without eyes have been caught in the
rivers of this cave. They have been dissected
by skilful anatomists, it is said, who declare that
they are Avithout the slightest indication of an
organ similar to the eye, and also that they pos-
sess other anomalies in their organization interest-
ing to the naturalist. These fishes are from 3 to
6 inches in length. Specimens of them are found
in most of our collections of natural history.

The cave is also inhabited by tAvo species of
rats and a species of crickets, neither of Avhich
partake of the peculiarity of the fishes, — of the
want of eyes, — for in both of these animals that
organ is very largely developed. These rats are
white and very large. Professor Agassiz has
some specimens of them in the collection at
Cambridge. In the winter, millions of bats find
here a resting-place Avell suited to their Avants.

During the last war Avith England, a saltpetre
manufactory Avas established in this cave; and,
although it Avas discontinued in 1815, wheel
tracks are still to be seen as clear and distinct
as if made yesterday. The guides also point
out corn cobs which Avere brought into the cave at
that time, and which are perfectly fresh and sound.

The Avaters of the cave are of the purest kind;
and, besides the springs and streams of fresh
water, there are one or two sulphur springs.
There are streams, lakes, and Avaterfalls of suffi-
cient width and depth to compare Avell Avith those
of the Avorld above ground. Some of these riv-
ers, as they are called, are navigated by boats of
sufficient size to carry 12 persons; and one of
them, called the Echo, is said to be broad and
deep enough, at all times, to float the largest
steamers. The rivers of the Mammoth Cave
were never crossed till 1840. Some of them
floAV in deep channels, the sides of Avhich rise
high above their ordinary level. After heavy
rains, they are sometimes swollen so as to rise
more than 50 feet. At such times the streams,
and especially the cataracts, of the cave, exhibit
a most terrific appearance. Great exertions have
been made to discover the sources of these
streams, and where they find their outlets: yet
they still remain, in this respect, as much a mys-
tery as ever.

“ Darkly thou glidest onward,

Thou deep and hidden wave !

The laughing sunshine hath not looked
Into thy hidden cave.''

The different apartments and passages of this
Avonderful subterranean labyrinth have many of
them received names, from their resemblance,
more or less real, to the most celebrated interiors
and decorations of architectural design. A few
only can be here described.

At the Cave House, erected near the entrance
by Dr. Croghan, the late proprietor of this won-
der of the Avorld, those visiting the cave are sup-
plied Avith lights, guides, and whatever else may
be required for their expedition. The air of the
cav'e, as you enter, gives a pleasant sensation of
refreshing coolness. As you continue descending
some irregular stone steps, the daylight fades
and the gloom deepens. Nothing is heard save
your OAvn footsteps, and the sound of the waters
leaping from a precipice over vour head and fall-
ing on the rocks below. A beautiful stream of
water falls over the mouth of the cave, as one
Avriter has remarked, as if it vvere the remnant
of a graceful curtain, which had formerly con-
cealed this wonder from the gaze of man. Look-
ing back towards the orifice, the light of the
external day appears dim, as if it vvere the twi-
light of evening. Looking before you, if looking
it may be called, — what a Avorld of darkness !
With all your torches hoAV little can be seen!
A strange sensation comes over you, as Avith
hesitating step you proceed.

The first great expansion of the cavern which
you enter is the Great Vestibule, an immense
hall, covering an area of an acre and a half,
with a dome, lost in the darkness, 100 feet high,
unsupported by a single pillar. By kindling a
fire at this spot, the vast dimensions of the cham-
ber may be faintly discovered. “ Far up above
your head," says one, “ is seen the gray ceiling