Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-09-13
Remarkable Caves in Australia.

An interesting report has been re-
ceived by the Minister for Mines from
Mr.. w. S. Leigh, the superintendent of
the Jenolan Caves, with. reference
to the discovery of a new cave at the
Fish River Mr.. Leigh says the new
cave is situated at the extreme end of
the Elder cave, the entrance being
reached from this point by an almost
vertical descent of about twenty feet,
over fallen rocks. The cave consists
of a long narrow passage, having a
total length of about ninety feet, and
an average width of four feet, and
may be divided into two parts, as fol-
of about fifty feet from the entrance
has the appearance of an arched tunnel
on a winding inclined plane, the in
cline being continuous and at an angle
of about forty-five. The ascent is
made over a crystallized rocky forma-
ton which forms the floor of the
cave. The sides are we'll studded with
stalactites, which gradually diminish
in length as they approach the center
of the roof; stalagmites are not so
numerous. To stand upright in this
part of the cave, except in one or two
places, is out of the question, as the
height to the centre of the roof does
not average more than three feet. and
at two points the passage narrows to
such an extent that only small open
ings are left-iust sufficiently large to
admit of an ordinary-sized man fore
ing his way through. The second part
of the cave is gained by making a
straight drop of about ten feet from
the top of the incline or end of the
first part. Here the visitor finds HIM
self in a lofty passage about forty feet
in width; and in this small area nature
has formed one of the prettiest caves of
the whole group. 1t is really varied
collection of the finest specimens found
in the other principal caves. In it are
grouped grand stalactites and stalag-
mites of various lengths and shapes.
Columns in clusters over ten feet in
height, and shawls, rivalling in beauty
those foundin the Imperial Cave, but of
a different shape in that they are not
fiat but rather of a gouge-shaped sec
ton and pointed, are grouped in great
variety; in some cases stalactites form
the centre of shawls giving them rare
appearance. Like those of the music
hall in the Lucas Cave, the stalactites
and shawls in this cave, when struck,
give out various notes, and from their
great number different peals could be
rung at the same time, and almost any
note sounded. A bed of crystals. hay
ing a wonderful combination, similar
to the Fairies Retreat in the Imperial,
is also found in a cavity on the left
hand side below the level of the floor.
A feature of this cave is the remark
able whiteness and transparency of the
different formations.
Mr.. Leigh also reports the discovery
of small cave adjoining the one Just
described, of much smaller dimensions,
being only about tWenty-feet long by
twelve feet wide, and two feet in
height to the centre of the roof, which
is arched. The bed of the cave is of
the same crystal rock formation. All
the formations are in miniature COM
pared with the other cave; it has in
Vulnerable small stalactities studding
the whole of the roof, all of which APP
pear very clear and fresh, and in the
course of formation. Small columns
are ranged all around the sides, and
lLCiC tlAc 81 lew Ill llt C6HIl6. DuL uOuG
OF them being more than one-and-a-
half inches in diameter; a number of
miniature shawls, similar in appear
ance to those of the Imperial Caves,
are also found. On the left-hand side,
and near the entrance, is a very pretty
coral-like bed, with numerous basins
and other formations. Above this bed.
and in the immediate vicinity, the
stalactites assume very peculiar and
altogether different form to the rest.
Instead of being pointed, each is tipped
with Il lime-crystal, perfectly shaped,
and glittering like diamond; and
this, being about twice the width of the
stalactite, has the appearance of hay
ing been stuck on the end of it. This
cave can only be seen to advantage by
one person at time, and in a recum-
bent position, with the head only in
side the cave.