Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1859-08-11
from the Louisville Courier.
Mammoth Cave-CoIossaI Cayern-A
New Discovery.

EDITORS LOUISVILLE COURIER: In the fall
of 1858, Mr.. l.. j. Proctor, the proprietor of
the Mammoth Cave, in company with two
assistants, undertook the exploration of
cave, one entrance to which is situated in
Barren county, mile and a half from the
Louisville and Nashville Railroad, and ten
miles from the Mammoth Cave. Up to the
time of the explorations made by Mr.. Proctor,
nothing was known as to the direction, dis
lance or dimensions of this vast subterranean
region, which have ventured to name Colos-
sal Cavern, and which, in extent, grandeur
and sublimity as much exceeds the Mammoth
Cave as the latter exceeds any cave hereto
fore discovered. Since the explorations of
Mr.. Proctor were made, the writer of this
article has verified that genteman's obserya-
tons, and, in order to facilitate the descrip-
tions of the cave, has conferred the names
mentioned below upon the principal points
of interest.
The first mile of the avenue leading from
the entrance of Colossal Cavern runs in a
northeastern direction, and varies from twen-
tv to sixty feet in width, and from ten to
forty in hight. Stalactites and stalagmites of
almost every conceivable form aud great
variety of color are found in this avenue.
This is called Stillo Avenue, from the stalac
titic formations which are foundin it.
On leaving Stillo Avenue, an avenue is
entered which is three miles in length, and
which gradually ascends for its entire dis
lance. The walls, floor. and ceiling of this
avenue are lined with alabaster flowers OF
variety offorms and of indescribable beauty,
many of which are over eight inches in d.
ameter. Like the flowers in Cleveland's
Cabinet in the Mammoth Cave, they are CON-
posed of the sulphate of lime, and are of
pure white color. On the floor of this
avenue, successive crops of stucco flowers
may be observed resting one above another,
which have detached themselves from the
walls and ceiling, from time to time, by their
own weight. These flowers always form in
avenues destitute of moisture, and with ex
ceeding slowness. The seasons required for
the successive growths of subterranean
flowers are not TO beireckoned by months, but
by centuries; for, as can be observed in the
Mammoth Cave, where gypsum flowers have
been detached for period of fifteen years,
the crystals that compose them are barely
perceptible, emerging from the parent rock
at the present time. This avenue is styled
the Flora Temple.
Flora Temple communicates with an ave-
nue. about half mile in length, which leads
TO a cascade and the entrance of river.
The river, at the point at which it is
viewed, is seventy-five feet wide, and gives
an echo louder than that of any river in the
Mammoth Cave. There being no boat upon
the river, it has not been explored, although
it has every appearance OF great length. This
body of water is called the Mysterium.
On the right bank OF the river Mysterium
an avenue arises which contains the most
magnificent collection of stalactites ever dis
covered. This avenue was explored for
distance of three and half miles without
discovering a terminus. At this point in the
explorations a stalagmite was discovered,
which is a perfect statu of Gen. Washington
in military costume. The stone, of which
-,
as statuary marble, and is exceedingly COM
pact. Washington avenue is the name con-
ferred upon this portion OF the Cave.
On returning to the Mysterium, an avenue
may be entered which runs directly north Tor
distance of quarter of mile, which
terminates in dome, and which, in size and
general appearance, resembles the mammoth
dome in the Mammoth Cave. This is called
Proctor's Dome, in honor OF the discoyerer,
Mr.. l.. j. Proctor.
From Procter's Dome to the cliffs on the
banks of Green river, the principal avenue
resembles III size the main cave of the Nam
month Cave. The entrance to Colossal Cav
ern, on the cliffs OF Green river, is one hun
dred and fifty feet above the bed of that
stream. and is eleven miles on direct line to
the entrance in Barren county. The Green
river entrance is in Edmondson county. The
avenue which leads from Proctor's Dome TO
Green River Avenue. The walls and ceiling
OF Green River avenue, for distance of
three miles and half, are covered with
nodules OF gypsum, which resemble snow
balls.
Seven days were occupied in the first ex-
plorations of Colossal Cavern by Mr.. Proctor,
aud the second entrance was discovered on
the fifth day. which was the first and only
time the light of the sun was seen during the
explorations.
Besides the avenues briefly mentioned
seventy-five others, which intersect them,
have been counted. the extent of which is
not known; and the aggregate distance
which has already been explored is not less
than forty miles.
l hope, at no distant period, to give more
detailed account of Colossal Cavern, which
presents such vast field for subterreanean
research to those who take an interest in lro-
giodytean lore.
c. w. WRIGHT.
Prof. Chemistry in Ky. School OF Meuicine.
MAMMOTH CAVE, July %, 1859.