Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1879-09-23
Scientific Exploration Near Harper's
Ferry-Disoovery of Extensive
Caves and Fissures.

very enthusiastic naturalist, returned to the
city last week from Harpers Ferry, where
he went to explore a cave in which he heard
that some blind insects had recently been
found. A gentleman informed him that be
had visited the cavo and secured an anophth>
almus catapo and curculio, all of which are
species of the beetle genus. The blind cur
culio is something not known in this coun-
try, the European troglarhynchus anophth-
almus being found only in the great Kalen-
berger cave, and a second species in the
Villa Francho cave, and hlr. Lugger at once
started to try aud obtain a specimen. The
cave in question is about one and a.quarter
miles west of Harper's Ferry, on the line of
Virginia side. The entrance to it ia 6 by I
feet, and about GO feet above the level of the
river. Mr.. Lugger says, however, that it is
not cave, but an immense crack or assure,
extending through the mountain from the
Potomac to the Shenandoah. It is from
to feet in width, the walls being composed
of limestone, mixed with slate, and dipping
at an angle of eighty. two degrees. Mr.. Lug
ger explored il for distance of four miles,
being provided with two dozen candles,
lantern and calcium light, aud he is of
opinion that it extends four miles further. 1t
is of immense height, in fact 80 high that
even with the aid OF the calcium light, the
roof could not DO seen. The floor. the sur
face OF which is very irregular, has been
formed of large rocks that have detached
themselves from the walls or sunk down.
Underneath the floor is another cave or
chasm, the depth of which could not be de-
termined. Mr.. Lugger climbed up the rocks
which form its sides. and after attaching a
lantern to rope 62 feet in length lowered
it, but no bottom was reached, nor could he
see anything beneath tho lantern but dark
ness. Tho sides, however, make an inclined
plane and the limestone seemed to be cover
ed with gelatinous and clayey substance. A
stone then dropped, which, after re-
bounding three times from the walls, dropped
with a splash into water. In nine ebserva>
tions which were taken, the average time Of
the stone reaching the bottom was twenty
two and one tenth seconds, which, had the
stone fallen perpendicularly, would indicate
a depth of eight hundred feet. No stalactites
were met with; except that occasionally there
was noticed on the walls wavy line about
an inch wido. It is evident that tho fssuro
is the result of some probably an
earthquake.
At Harper's Ferry the Same stratum of
limestone is horizontal, the angle increasing
until it becomes almost perpendicular. Next
there comes formation of black marble, Ca
pabe of taking on a very fine polish, and
akin to that found in Frederick county, Md
and in Egypt. After that another formation
of slaty limestone, also nearly perpendicular,
aud with the angle DETECTING to the west.
Numbers of bats were found in the great
assure, but no insects, except those which
had entered it for the purpose of Information
Mr. Lugger docs not think blind insects will
be found in it, there being neither stagnant
nor running watet there, either of which
necessary for their existence. 10 Europe
there arc 400 species OF blind insects. while
in the United States there are only 80, aud
the finding of a curculio would enable tho
student to trace the relation between tho
geographical and geslogical history of the
two countries. 1t needs thousands of years
to perfectly develop blind insect that others
may be reproduced. In American caves
there have often been found blind crawfish,
and sometimes blind crickets. In the most
of these cases there has been simply a skin
over the rctino, while in others the nerve has
been found to be entirely gono. By the law
of compensation, however, which prevails in
nature, the fish when it becomes blind has
its barbs, and the cricket and beetle it's au,
tenn4 or legs Heightened, SO that in each
case some sense has been made moro acute.
The cave in question, which is on the
farm of Mr.. John Rau, is called John
Browns cave, and was used as beer saloon
during the late war. About mile aud q
quarter further west, and on the line of tho
railroad, is another cave, which Mr. Lugger
was anxious to explore, but on rcrching it he
found that the entrance had cared in. and to
open it again would have required more time
and money than he had at his disposal. He
talked, however, with several old people who
visited it years ago. From their statements
it is extensive and lofty, and is divided into
large rooms, in which they are many staac-
titles aud many stalagmitcs. The geological
formation is the marble limestone. Mr.. Lug
ger says ho will positively explore it next
explore it next spring, and is in hopes tina,
it will equal the now famous Luray cave.
a singular fact, and of interest to
naturalists may be mentioned: 10 the year
1864 two domesticated goats left the neigh
borhood of Harper's Ferry and ran away to
Maryland Heights. Since then they have
gradually increased until the flock numbers
about 300 They are in every rospect wild
goats, without the least trace of domestic
habits. At night they shelter under pros
jocting cliff which faces Harper's Ferry, and
Mr.. Lugger says that on tho day ho was there
he counted about $50 of them browsing to-
gether. Some of the sportsmen of the vicini>
ty shoot them occasionally.