. The first [-fifth] reader of the school and family series. a limestone region, has alength of sixteen hundred feet in a straight line, but the ag-gregate of its branches and windings is near three numerous and extensive apartments, which have receivedvarious names from their fancied resemblance to temples, pal-aces, halls, cathedrals, etc., and which abound in stalactites ofalmost every possible variety of form and grouping, have beennot inappropriately compared to the enchanted palaces ofEastern story. An engraving of the Hall of Statuary,which we place at the head of this less
. The first [-fifth] reader of the school and family series. a limestone region, has alength of sixteen hundred feet in a straight line, but the ag-gregate of its branches and windings is near three numerous and extensive apartments, which have receivedvarious names from their fancied resemblance to temples, pal-aces, halls, cathedrals, etc., and which abound in stalactites ofalmost every possible variety of form and grouping, have beennot inappropriately compared to the enchanted palaces ofEastern story. An engraving of the Hall of Statuary,which we place at the head of this lesson, showing the stalag-mites^ rising from the floor, and the pendent stalactites^ stilldripping with lime-water, illustrates the process of these cu-rious formations. 3. But the largest and most remai-kable cave in the worldis the famous Mammoth Cave in Kentucky, a region of vastand still unknown extent, hidden from the light of day. Ithas already been explored to the distance of ten miles, and ariver navigable by boats affords a convenient means of pene-. Uall of Statuary, m \\ eyua Lave, \ iigima. 384 willsons fifth header. Pakt VIII. trating its subterranean recesses. Stalactites of immense sizeand fantastic forms adorn the interior, though they are lessbrilliant and beautiful than those of some other caverns. 4. Bats and rats arc abundant in this cave, and several spe-cies of insects are found in its dark recesses. In its watershave been found two species of fish, in color nearly white, andunknown elsewhere. One of these is the eyeless fish; andthe other, though with the appearance of eyes, is entirelyblind, showing that where eyes are of no use, nature finallydispenses with them—a proceeding in perfect harmony withthe physiological law that disuse of an organ gradually leadsto its destruction. 5. A volume might be written descriptive of the wondersof this Mammoth Cave—of its mysterious chambers, itspillared domes, its echoing halls, its fathomless gvilfs, and itsdark w
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