Columbus Democrat. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 18??-18??, 1838-11-17

! Towering mountains, lofty oaks, blooming
wales, running brooks, and chrystal flowing
teams, IRE all grand and sublime objects--and
often, too, have they heightened the maginatlons,
enriched the IDEAS, and inspired the pen of the
poet. But the maglnatCnS and ideas of Mil
ton. or n Shakespeare, were never exalted by such
sublimity and grandeur as this singular cavern
presents and were 10 attempt description Of
the beauty, and splendor Of different parts Of this
cave, would, with many, subject myself TO the
charge of being marvellous. In short, a view OF
this singular and interesting cavern, alone is Ca
pablo Of giving correct understanding Of its
splcndor.
This cave is situated Two and half miles west
Of Tuscumbia, Ala. The aperture is singular
one, from that Of tho most of caves, opening
near the summit Of high ridge, and descending
through scraggy limestone rocks. This aperture
al is Of an obong shape, averaging three by six
feet, aud leads through the upper ceiling OF lurge
gro'to, 40 feet above the floor making ninety feet
from the exterior opening to the floor Of the cave
The grotto (D) is about 800 feet in clrcumIcr-
ence, and fom IS TO so feet high.
A little east of the aperture there arc two
stalngmlte pillars, &c, ~ named Jncan and Boaz,
the largest Of which is upwards Of 20 feet in cir
conference at the base, and 0 or II feet high /,
| they gradually laperng as they ascend, and arc
! iiuted IN manner that All can never excel A.
round each Of these pillars tho floor is caipeicd
with botrioydal connections, formed by the drip
! pings of the cave, while over them han" ia a
graceful style Several lestoon stalpctitcg, Il
the south side Of this grotto there is a pool OF
pure water, marked IN the cut TIL about or
feet in diameter, and or feet deep. This poo
is defended by an embalkment Of clay and gray
81, with an exterior coating Of cacaraus cath.
(F) and (G) are small avenues leading into III,
cavern (n), which is in some places 10 or /;
feet wide. aud Is or 20 high. The southeast en-
OF this cavern terminates III a circular grouo, a
bout so feet in diameter and 20 high. In tn
centre Of this grotto there is an aperture, markc
~ about 8 feet IN diameter, descending obliqut
" II or Il feet, into another department marke
i, (Kl. This apartment is about the size Of con
: mon parlour, which may be appropriately Gale
the Turkey Pen, FROM the circumstance Of fine
!, ins there some turkey bones, covered with chry
: tallzcd caborna,e Of lime
!. From the aperture (A), the cave con,nu,
;. west, from 60 to 100 feet wide, and from 30
10 60 high. $50 feet from the aperture there is
= division formed in this channel by tho rocks al
To earth falling in from above. This division M
e be appropriately called the .Mammoths DEF,
" from the circumstance Of finding some very lar
Of bones Mt that place part Of ono tusk has be
h procured, that measured 81 ID inches in circu
nk ference. A part of the under jaw bone, and sol
Il of the molar teeth have also been found, viii
ed prove the animal to have been n heIbNcrous OF
lie. which fact together with the circumstance ola 81
lid IN tbs earth immediately above that place, shown
as those bones found their way 10 so great del
les IN the ear'h.--The most rational idea is, that /
ms huge animal, in taking one Of his " Indian lea
ere over The hills" happened to set his pedeslols do
ed. too heavy on tina, place, and he sunk 10 rise
&c more.
The west end Of this cave, which is 1884
from'the aperture. terminates in an oval gro
M tNl which is 23l feetn dlamc,cr,bu no, so 10
to according to its size as other parts of tho ca
to This grotto has been named tho Chapel I
Sir, upper ceiling Of the Chapel is beautifully dec
der ated with round and leStoon staloetes, aud m
mo parts Of the floor carpeted with chrystazatlc
aso OF almost every color and form; parts Of VT
) TO arc OF smooth and CLASSY appearance, "
ed' other places arc cast up IN spray figures rest
der ping bolsierous ocean in miniature. The vi
mo staagmlies around tho sides Of the Chapel, vs.
ave but dlmly lighted present TO the beheldefs eyo
'te epftGanct Ct tn s,tsplcs d a CITY, when vi
Cd ftom a great 3Istatcc