apartment is of a circular figure, with a flat ceiling, about fifty feet from the floor. The only means, however, by which the reader can entertain any idea of the fairy spectacle presented in this enchanted spot, will be to describe it a general way, as it is seen from the entrance.

The first object that attracts the eye of the wondering spectator, is an immense stalagmite, of an hemispherical figure, on which rests a group of spars, that presents a striking similitude to a circular fountain, fifteen feet in diameter, forcing up a golden-coloured fluid to the height of twenty feet, in such a manner that those columns which ascend from the larger and outer ranges of pipes all converge in their descent, while those from the smaller and inner ranges of the same, have precisely the contrary direction. Issuing from the top of another conical stalagmite, is a second collection of spars, of about one-fourth the size of the first, that presents an equally interesting and similar spectacle, with this difference-it is surrounded by sparry concretions, resembling statues in various attitudes, columns, vases, architectural ruins, trees bearing fruit, &c. &c.

Immediately in front of this, and to his left hand, is a stalagmitical mass, forming an in clined plane, reaching from near the spot whereon it stands to the floor at the opposite side of the chamber. The whole surface of this, together with that of the left half of the ceiling and walls, is covered with every form that the most fruitful fancy, in her wildest moments could imagine.

The

The great variety of tints with which the pencil of nature has decorated these curious productions, contributes, equally with the diversity of their figure, to the beauty of the scene. walls, as well as the stalagmites, are all covered with an incrustation of calc-tuft*, of a blackish colour; while many of the objects spoken of are of a milk white, which is particularly the case with those pendant from the ceiling; some of which have a surface as smooth as polished parian marble, while others are covered with an infinity of minute snowy plumular crystals, that give them an appearance similar to the matted work of the jeweller.

Among the variety of colours that are thr * The spars themselves are all composed of calcesinter, or satin spær.

most striking, may be noticed a lively red, bordering on a vermillion, a pale rose, and a colour resembling that of unpolished gold. When, in addition to these circumstances, we combine that, of some of the spars being nearly diaphanous, while others are perfectly opaque, some faint idea may be entertained of the chamber of fountains.

Without entering into a discussion relative to the general formation of these remarkable caverns so common in this county, I think I may safely venture to assert, that the one in question bears along with it most unequivocal proof of its having originated in an earthquake, which has split the rock, and opened a passage for a superincumbent body of water that has rushed in and filled a part, if not the whole of the cavity: The sides of the cave in the narrower passages, coincide exactly with each other, so that where you perceive a convex projection on one side, there is sure to be a corresponding depression on the other. In short, making allowances for the dilapidations of time, no one can hesitate to believe, that they were once in contact, forming a solid mass of rock.

The larger cavities or chambers were, no doubt, formed at one synchronous stroke with the passages leading to them, their different sizes being easily accounted for from the different degrees of tenuity and hardness exhibited by the rock, in different places, as well as by suppc ing the existence of original cavities immediately under them, which served to engulph that portion of it which was loosened from the great body by the violence of the concussion.

That many centuries must have elapsed since that epoch is very evident, from the immense stalactitical masses presented to our view in the chamber of fountains. The large stalagmite on which rests the first fountain, is a hemisphere whose diameter is at least forty feet, and twenty in height! What a length of time must it not have taken for the earthy deposition of water, flowing drop by drop, and apparently as clear as crystal, to have aggregated in such quantities as to have formed these enormous masses? In order to shew how slow the process is, it may be worth while to mention, that about a yard from the base of the first fountain is a small cavity, four inches long, and two deep,

hollowed out by the action of the water, which still exudes guttatim from the roof above: from the edges of this cavity spring several columnar bodies, the longest of which is not more than one inch! These, it has been remarked, eight or ten years ago, were so nearly the size they are at present, that the difference is imperceptible, although increase, they certainly must.

CLIMATE.

It appears from a variety of thermometrical observations and comparisons, that the climate of this country is uniformly milder than that of the Atlantic states, in the same paralel of latitude. This has been contested, but, until facts and the evidence of our senses are considered as inferior to theory, the position must be considered as correct. Among the most remarkable of the former, noticed by preceding and able writers, are, the presence of the parakeet, thousands of which enliven our woods, winter and summer, the existence of many plants that cannot support the cold of the Atlantic states,