The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-12-16
Dalaces Are
: Made BY Nature
Wonderful CaOes Fond IN the
Mountains Of Australia
Euted and 1<raced
Colamns Tory
Sect High.

tSIhAiSlA Is rull OF wonders not
the least of which are the natural
y caves that are to be found in the
mountainous regions of the inter-
Tor. A gentleman who has recently re-
turned from a visit to the island 'conti-
nent describes these phenomena In an
interesting manner.
The eastern portion OF Australia is rich
in cave systems. mostly In limestone for
nations, several. such as the Jenolan.
Yarrangobilly and Wombeyan, being of
considerable extent. although only par
TALLY explored Most of the caves, which
are generally of a highly picturesque
character. are In charge of caretakers
appointed by the colonial government. a
necessary precaution In view OF the van
dalistic tendencies OF certain classes of
visitors, prototypes Of the barbarian tour
lists who dsfgure with their initials the
stones OF the Egyptian pyramids or the
remains Of the Athenian AcropoIls. Other
caves are situated on private property.
but obstacles are rarely, IL ever, placed
In the way of those DESTROYS Of Waiting
them. Among the more recent discoveries
are those OF the colong caves near Burra-
gorang They are somewhat numerous
and occur In an immense bed OF limestone,
broken by more or leas precipitous
rugged country abpunding with msgnif-
cent views.
One OF the routes includes a mountain
ascent 1900 feet. with a corresponding de-
scent on the other side. The main caves
are entered by openings In the face OF the
cliff. The Key cave Is from 90 to 50 feet
wide and 200 feet long. with height OF
perhaps 70 feet. Its arched roof IL deco
rated with tinted stalactitee. The staiag-
mite. deposits are also tinged with pale
yellow, green or pink. etc. Near the
southern entrance are four large pillars,
which retain their perpendicuarity, AL
though they have sunk with the floor and
are now separated from the roof which
they once joined by two or three feet.
Looking back from the north entrance
three fine massive stalagmitic deposits
are seen. which resemble human heads
with the features in profiie. Twenty or
thirty feet below the Key cave another
opening in the elf face leads into the
Onslaw cave. containing series OF mar
row passages. in some of which water
is knee deep. On the wall in one passage
are numerous 'shawis.
About thirty feet above the level Of tina
southern entrance 10 the Key cave IL
the entrance To Lannigsn's cave. probably
60 feet in length and containing may
branch passages. Some Of the passages
are wide and lofty. OtheSs are barely
large enough to squeeze through. shortly
after entering the cave n ledge ls seen.
on which are some attractive pillars. Fur
Their on fine opaque white stalactits
group hangs In the center OF the pass
age. In an opening to the left " erys-
tafline column and ovsrhanging canopy.
A semicircle Of pillars and staIactites 10
next met with, after which King Solo
mons temple IL entered. This chamber
contains FIVE or six large ffuted and ter
raced columns nearly forty feet high.
one Of these Is suymoanted by crystal
lire mbsr-tintcd formation. Further on
IL a most beautiful little grotto. in which
the translucent fragile staiactites are
viewed through tinted and pure white
and coraline stalactltes and pillars.
After crawling and squeezing through
narrow passage the Pride 81 the valley
Is reached. This chamber IL about twen-
~ feet long and ten feet wide and from
FIVE 10 eight feet high. Il contains q pro-
fusion OF white translucent ssaIactstss
Two columns near its entrance are par
ticulariy fine. Returning. a side chamber
L. found TO contain some attractive gr0ups
OF sielactttes and a few delicate ferniike
growths. Then large chamber Is en-
tered whose floor is mostly formed Of
broken rocks which have fallen from the
roof and sides.
Here and there are beautiful groups OF
staiactites- A descent from this chamber
leads to the terraces. .hich may, hove-
ever. be more easily reached by an open
ing from the passage FIRST traversed- The
terraces occur on a sIoping floor. which
they cover for "a distance Of perhaps
eighty feet by width of from eight 20
ten feet. They consist Of a series of
crystalline basins. incl0sed within white
friiled and delicate rims, some OF which
are a foot IN height