Eureka daily sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1871-1887, 1878-03-08
A RUBY HILL CAVE.

Many cavernS nave been Openeu IL
the Limestone formation on Ruby Hill
since the discovery of the mines In tina
locality, but the largest one ever me
with was found in the Eureka Consoli
dated some two weeks ago. TIT
| miners, while raising from the tenth
level, broke through the top of the up
raise into a narrow passage, which was
of barely sufficient size to enable then
to enter, but on following it a distance
of 20 feet, it opened out into a large
cave. 1t was the writer's privilege. &
few days ago, to visit this wonderful
piece of natures handiwork, and ex
| plore its recessss. Armed with a candle,
we clambeTed through the craInpeo
way leading to it, and paused on The
threshold to examine It's salient fea
lures. The most intense darkness
prevailed, save for the short distance
lighted up by the Pickering flame Of
the taper that we held, the rays from
which only served to intensity the
reigning b%lackness and gloom. Moth
ing could be heard, beyond the meas.
ured and regular patter OF dropping
water from the roof striking on the
floor, a sound that bespoket the agencies
that were at work deep down in the
depths of the earth, fashioning and
moulding this tit abode for Erebus.
The utter silence. broken only by the
dull splash of the percolating water,
oppressed us, and as we gazsd into the
sonbre shade. we fel: that Dante's in
scription-.' He who enters here leave
hope behind "-would be a tit legend
to trace over the entrance. Shaking
off this impression, we advanced cau-
tiously, and as u eyes became accus-
toned to the Cimmerisn dusk, the fea
lures OF this subterranean cavern were
revealed. Huge blocks of stone, debris
from the roof, being piled in confusion,
and their enormous bulk Strewed the
floor in every direction. The cav lays
at an angle of 80 degrees. and stretches
upward for a length OF 1850 feet, with All
average width of 100 and a height OF
from 20 to 30 feet. The root is irregu
lar in form, Scared and scanned by the
falling away of the masses that cover
the floor. Following 1t upward until
we reached the apex, we found that it
preserved the same aspect through
out, with the exception of a few
places that were incrusted with
crystals of lime, which, from
the rays of light from our candle, scin
tillated and glittered with a bewilder-
ing brilliancy. Retracing our steps,
after We had explored its utmost
bounds and limits, we were attracted
TO the lower portion by a patch of
white that contrasted with the prevail.
ing dingy. subdued color. In this one
spot, an area OF 80 feet, evidently no
falling masses had disturbed the floor
for ages, and here the fairy growth of
fern like forms, Sc characteristic Of
these assures in the formation, had
sprung into being and were preserved
in all their wondrous beauty. Our
readers are familiar with their deli
cate structure. numbers of specimens
having been procured by ardent col
l~ectors, but very little idea of their ele-
gance can be understood until seen
where Nature fashioned them. Cling
ing to the rocks with a tenacity that
furDids their succe ssful removal with
out utterly destroying them, they pre-
sent a magnificent appearance aud a
most wonderful resemblance To a plant
like growth. The leaves and branches
spring up from a stem aud attain a
height of several inches, and the
only marked difference distinguish
ing them from the vegetable world is
their pure white color. A half hour
passed in this %cavenous abode satisfied
us, and it was relief to regain the drifts
and find ourselves in the presence of
fellow-man. To the curious AMI
inquiring the place has many attrac.
tons. and is we'll worthy OF a visit. A
permit from Superintendent Donnelly
and a guide through the tortuouS
windings leading to its portals is all
that is necessary, and the visitor will
be repaid for the fatigue incidental 10
the trip.