Year: 1870

CAVES IN THE OZARK MOUNTAINS.


EXPLORATIONS BY A PARTY FROM ST. LOUISA VOYAGE


UP A sUBTERRANEAN RIVER, ETC.


The existence of several remarkable caves
in the limestone regions of Missouri has been
known to the general public for years. Some
of these caverns have been explored, and de-
scriptions written of the subterranean wonders
contained therein. One of the most remarka-
BILE of these caverns is located on DR.. Fscher's
land, about six miles and half southeast Of
Springfield, among the Ozark mountains 1t
was visited some weeks ago by a party from
this city, and as but little has heretofore been
known about its peculiarities, q brief account
Of its striking features from one of the visitors
may not be devoid of interest The mouth of
the cave is at the bottom ot deep ravine, to
which rather steep descent is made for nearly
mile The cave is one side of rather alb.
rupt hill, and from its mouth their issues clear
and cold stream of water, thirty feet in width
and four feet in depth. A boat capable of hold
ing ten persons was in readiness with a guide
t. ascend the stream; candles were provided,
and all necessary preparations made for vOy-
age into the recesses of the cavern. Thus pro-
vided, the ascent against the current was made
without much difficulty. The air was cool, the
lights were reflected upon the water, and the
moisture from the ceiling which fell in round
drops, resembled shower of pearls. The av-
erage height of the roof above the stream is
about $50 feet. Hundreds of beautiful stalac-
ttes were seen hanging from the natural arch
way, some in clusters. The outside of these
story icicles was encrusted with a substance
of "grayish yellow" hue, but the tips had
vitreous appearance, and in some cases were
translucent. The tips were hollow, but the
tubular form soon became solid where the stall
actite was thicker. The length of these pend
ant cones caused by the constant accumulation
of the carbonate of lime gathered from the
dripping of the water from the ceiling, was
from two to FIVE feet. After proceeding some
distance the explorers came upon an arm OF
the cavern, which branched off into huge
pocket, or chamber, which was twenty yards
across and wedge shaped. The door OF this
chamber was paved with multitude of small
basins, or cups, formed by constant dripping
of the water upon the floor of the cavern. The
drops falling upon the soft substance excavated
these dish. shaped vessels, the rims of which
rose above the general surface OF the floor.
These natural cups were filed with limpid wa
ter, from which the party drank freely. Leav-
ing this singular spot the voyagers resumed
their trip up the underground stream, and at
ter proceeding about 200 yards they came to
small cascade. The fall is caused by ledge
which crosses the cavern stream, and Is about
three feet higher than the level of the stream
below. The roaring of the water of this chute
was heard at some distance The depth of the
water below the wall is five feet, and it is esti-
mated that they were half mile from the
point. Above this fall the cavern blfurcated
into two branches. The main stream comes
down the right fork, but leaving their boat the
explorers went some distance up the left fork.
The cave narrowed and widened alternately,
but at length the roof got so low that they
were obliged to proceed in STOPPING posture.
This mode of progress becoming too fatiguing,
further progress was abandoned, and the ex-
plorers set out on their return. The boat float
ed down rapidly, and halt was only made to
observe beautiful formation, on the right
shore, within only 200 yards of the mouth.
This was apparently sheet of alabaster, roll
ing gracefully over jutting table of lime. re-
sembling flowing stream of milk suddenly
frozen. The party soon made their exit to
open air, much gratifed with their exploration.
The excavation of this cavern was doubtless
caused by the ceaseless action of the stream
that still carries on its rasping, denuding work,
and consequently is not due, as is the case in
many other caverns, to causes which have long
ceased to operate. Missouri Republican.


C.u -Tha oditOr of tha Mon.