The New York herald., 1878-11-22

in all its details would be simply impossible. even
though the skill of all the great artists in the world
exercised during lifetime This may seem to be
an exaggerated statement but it is not So for the
mnuteness and decacy of the work here could never
be copied.
OTHER FORMATIONS.
As have already referred to the endless variety OF
formations to be in the different chambers of tho
cannot attempt to describe all those that
come prominently before the eye. There some,
however, striking and so beautiful that l spent
considerable time in examining them closely, III the
endeavor to determine the manner of their growth
To do this with any prospect OF the observer
begin by accurately noting every detail of the
surroundings In word, he must study the cond
tions with the utmost care before he can commence
to trace effects back to their several causes.
Let me take for instance this exquisite group Of
salactites that forms pendent from the dark brown
roof, glistening white as the driven snow and drip
ping dianond-likc drops OF water the muddy floor
What is it like? Well if compare it to anything
in the upper world, it looks like perfect imita
ton, in the purest white and semtransparent china
of bunch OF large leaves with serrated edges deli
cately tipped with pale pink. Close to the root of
the bunch where adheres to the roof the whole
form diminishes in size, il the leaves from
common stem. There the white fades into grad
uaIy deepening purple. which gives additional lustre
by contrast the milky tint of the body of the forma
ton. Viewed closely the folding of these petrifed
leaves is wonderfully delicate and intricate The
curvings are perfect and defy the closest inspection
to detect adhesions that would give the structure
lumpy and solid appearance under the folds.
To add to the effect the surface OF this wonderful
foliation is slightly corrugated and the faint lines OF
shading thrown its unduations only serves to
heighen the illusion created by the lcaflikc appear
ance of the whole Now, the first thing that strikes
the beholder is the presence of such a white and
beautiful object among the dark and weird looking
surroundings This is the work of Sevres Dresden;
those are baked dull red in tile oven. Let me
try to explain the contrast All formations on the
roofs of cavcrns due to the passage of water
through assures i'll the rock itself There
formations Of this character except in limestone
caverns because that rock is soluble in water which,
as rain or surface water. has taken up considerable
quantities Of carbonc acid gas from the air soil.
When this aciduatcd water passes down through the
assures OF limestone it actually dissoves the rock
itself and carries it in solution to the under
surface or roof, where the drip commences.
Now, il the assure is large enough to admit ad
mixture the surface earth in suspension with the
solution Of carbonate Of lime when the deposit takes
place. the carbonate will be tinted. less by
the dull red muddy deposit of earth that accom-
panes it. The carbonate is deposited the
and permits the limestone in solution to resume
again. its solid form. Where, however, the water
passes into such small fssure in the rock not to
admit Of any accompanying substance the pure car
Donate Of lime is deposited in forming the stalactte
that results, and white crystalline substance is
formed. The beautiful stalactte to which l have
referred being surrounded by others of dark and
muddy hues is case in point. Its growth is much
slower than that of its gigantic neghbors. because
the assures under which it is formed small and
there admxture of insolube silica possible that
discolor the deposit of pure carbonate Of lime.
Where tntngs they due TO the slight lateral
how from adjacent ssurcs and their positions the
surface are governed by the relative energies Of
the primary and secondary flows. II the first is
strong over the surfaces Of the forming staactite
the coloring matter brought by the second will be
washed the edges of tho body and there deposited
and fxed by later deposits. the secondary flow is
stronger than the primary. considering the direct
flow the latter. the stalactite becomes either
riously spotted uniformly coloresl Again. either
primary secondary flow may be temporarily
permanently stopped and thus change wrought in
the structure OF the stalactte the rapid growth Of
q Eeghboring formation may affect it by direct
contact and the consequent diversion OF the
flow from another fssure to its surface. In
these ways the many varieties of stalactites
have assumed strange tints and stranger
FORMS To account for the foliaon OF tho deposit it
is only necessary to consider the influences of rregn
larty in the assures whence they grow and the slow
ness with which they formed, which admits OF
the most delicate construction Of parts. If only
remember that in the silent depths of the the
air is motioness and nothing short of earthquake
can disturb the process by which these forms arc
constructed there is precision of deposit that could
be attained under any other conditions. Every
atom of matter goes to its appointed place There is
no jarring confusion in this laboratory and every
work produced therein perfect of kind. could
instance thousand where there have been
more or less important departures from what might
be considered the formula OF stalactie construction
but it would be ignoring tho common law
of to attempt such task As the leaves OF the
forest trees although similar in general appearance
according TO their kind, not any two absolutely
alike. 30 with the ornaments that have been
trying to describe There is o samcness among them
which casual glance presents but which disappears
the moment wcbcgin to examine object after an-
other.
SWEET suDTERRASEAN MUSIC.
had heard great deal before visiting the cave of
.sThe Organ" and other scil instruments which the
imaginative proprctors and explorers had, rs
thought constructed out OF of stalactites and
stalagnitcs. prepared myself to alter their tone
considerably when copmencod to expose what be-
lieved to bo piece Of advertising claptrap. But
must confess that am converted and am now a
firm believer in the sweet sounds of this
subterranean orchestra AS each Of the pendant
nations is the result Of a gradual accrction around
central tube. through which tho water flows to the
point Of dripping. they many laminated pipes,
and with. in the case Of continuous or ",!rapcry'
stalactite, connecting webs. Each. therefore, ia
of nj vii
when struck by tho knuckle stick cmits its pccu-
liar tone, grave sharp In the greater number Of
instances these perfect musical sounds as sweet
and true emitted from the vibratory
reeds of a harmonium. They are aiso wonderfully
clear being like the tonesof bell and are sustained
for several seconds dying away into silence with tho
most pradual diminution Of yolnme trakinn a