THE FAIRIES' BOWER.
A few paces only from "The Show-room" is "The Fairies' Bower," rich in
grotesque lines and mystic crypts, in the purity of the formation which
decorates it, and in delicacy of tints and shades. In the midst is a
peculiarly-shaped stalactitic pillar resting on a dome, and which may be
regarded as the Pixies' trysting-place. Then there are the "Diamond
Walls," covered with millions of gems, each of which, as it flashes
through the gloom, sparkles like "a rich jewel in an Ethiop's ear," or,
like the very obtrusive French paste "drops" which, on her "Sunday out,"
light up the auricular organs of Mary Jane. It is noticeable that the
walls are not of the formation which is diamantiferous. There is nothing
suggestive of the diamond beds on the banks of the Ganges, the gem mines
of Brazil, the rich fields of South Africa, or even the more
recently-discovered diamond-bearing districts of Bingera, Mudgee, or New
England, in New South Wales. There is not any gravel-drift, and the
reflected light displays neither diamantine lustre nor play of colours;
but, nevertheless, there is great brilliancy. It suggests, however, not
so much the glories of the Koh-i-noor or the splendours of the Orloff,
in the Russian Imperial sceptre, as the glitter of spangles on the dress
of the acrobat.
THE SELINA CAVE.
North-west from the diamond walls is a gallery to the Selina Cave.
Midway, or about 20 yards from the junction at the diamond walls, is
"Cook's Grotto," named after Mr. Samuel Cook, of Marrickville. It is a
lovely nook, with stalactites of rare purity and beauty. This grotto is
about five feet high and from 2 to 10 feet wide. In front is a conical
sloping rock with a waxy-looking reticulated surface; and the grotto
itself is filled with stalactites as white as the foam of an ocean
billow dashed upon the rocks of an iron-bound coast. Between two of
the principal stalactites is a fine "shawl" or "scarf," made of the
purest meerschaum. Over the Grotto is some pretty formation, and round
about are many coloured stalactites, which make a striking contrast. To
the left is a splendid alabaster stalagmite, semi-transparent, like
camphor, and the little stalactites above, from which it has been
formed, are of similar character, being slightly opalescent, and without
any stellar reflection of light.
The Selina Cave, 30 yards north of Cook's Grotto, is about 20 feet high,
20 yards long, and 25 feet wide. It is named in honour of the wife of
the Hon. E. B. Webb, M.L.C., of Bathurst, and in recognition of the
interest in the caves taken by the Webb family from time to time. The
walls are heavily laden with ornament. There is on the right hand side a
lavish supply of variously-coloured stalactites. A large mass of
formation has flowed from the fore part of the ceiling to the left, and
assumed all sorts of graceful and fantastic shapes, until it reaches a
shell pattern composite dwarf wall on the floor, about a foot thick at
the base, and thinning off to about an inch at the top. The best of the
stalactites are objects of great curiosity on account of the peculiar
way in which they are embellished by small gnarled and twisted
projections, and protuberances like miniature stalactitic Protea in
every conceivable kind of tortuosity. In front of the cave is a
magnificent stalagmite called "Lot." It is about 18 feet high and two
feet in diameter, and may be supposed to represent the Patriarch after
his capture by the confederate monarchs who made war against the Kings
of the Cities of the Plain. It is rather large, but then it is
recorded--"there were giants in those days." It is not on record why
this particular column is called "Lot." Perhaps it was thought that the
briny tears shed by the son of Haran on account of the loss of his wife
would be sufficient to make a second pillar of salt of similar
dimensions. The roof opening into the cave is adorned with stalactites,
and on the floor there are besides "Lot" two other remarkable
stalagmites, which may be taken to represent members of his family. In
shape they are probably quite as representative as Noachian figures of
Mesdames Shem, Ham, and Japhet, that give variety to the contents of
those wonderful arks which are supposed to convey to the juvenile mind
the principal incidents associated with the Deluge. The roof opening
into the cave is adorned with splendid stalactites, and among these is a
beautiful white "shawl." The floor is composed partly of handsome
basins, on the bottom and sides of which is elegant crystallization. In
one corner of the roof some rich colouring sets off pure snowflakes done
in lime. Among the stalactites and stalagmites are some exceedingly
grotesque figures. There is also a little tablet, "Selina Cave, Feb. 7,
1881."
[Illustration: THE MYSTERY.]
THE MYSTERY.
From the "Selina Cave" to "The Mystery" is about 25 yards north. In the
gallery leading to this wondrous cavern may be noticed a number of small
testaceous shells resembling those of cockles, embedded in the walls.
The cave itself is rightly named, because of the wonder it excites by
its sublimity. The spectator is first fascinated by its magnificence,
and then puzzled to account for the many peculiarities and
eccentricities of form which present themselves. It is an enigma. Some
of the conformations appear more like the expression of vagrant fancies
than the result of inanimate natural forces. Florid stalactites and
floriferous rocks have become almost commonplace objects, and the
visitor by this time is nearly satiated with limestone beauty; but here
he finds new marvels written in mystic characters, which can be
deciphered only by long and patient study. The cavern is about 12 feet
high, from 8 to 20 feet wide, and about 20 yards in length. It consists
of two parts. On one side is an immense mass of delicate white and rich
cream-coloured formation, with numerous giant stalactites, which in
purity rival virgin snow. Smaller stalactites in great profusion, are of
the most perfect whiteness. But in the midst of the masses of formation
are most wonderfully-contorted tubes and threads and thousands of fine
lines, some like hairs and others like spun glass. There is filagree
work of the most _recherche_ kind. Some of the threads are as fine as
the filaments of a spider's web, but twisted and turned in a more subtle
manner. Some of the stalactites are decorated in the same mysterious
way, their hirsute covering being partly pellucid and partly opaque. On
the other side of the cave is a similar wonder, which still further
illustrates the mysterious operations of nature, and shows with what
affluence she can adorn, and how fertile are her resources.
[Illustration: NELLIE'S GROTTO.]
NELLIE'S GROTTO.
About 10 yards north-west from "The Mystery" is "Nellie's Grotto," named
in honour of Mrs. Carruthers, of Sydney, who visited the cave shortly
after its discovery. This grotto varies from one to five feet in height,
and is about 20 feet from end to end. Its beauty is bold and striking.
Its chief features are taken in at a glance, and its general effect is
unique. In the foreground on the right hand side is a pillar of great
thickness and apparent strength, standing on a gracefully waved and
rippled mound. About half of this column is stalagmitic, and was formed
at different rates of speed, as may be noticed from its uneven bulk and
the shape of the sections which enlarge upwards. Each succeeding portion
belongs to a separate epoch commencing on a smaller circumference, until
it imitates in shape its predecessor; and then the process is again
repeated. The stalagmitic part of the pillar ends at about the centre of
the column, and is out of the perpendicular, like the leaning tower of
Pisa. From the shape of the upper section, it seems as though three or
four stalactites of about equal thickness, but of various lengths, had
been closely cemented together. Altogether this pillar is a very bold
and beautiful object. At the other end of the grotto are two columns
composed in a somewhat similar manner, but of much smaller dimensions.
They also rest on blocks of formation, and are surrounded by a number of
splendid stalactites, some of which descend half way and others to the
base. Between these two extremities, there are on the floor about a
dozen little cones of white matter like sugar-loaves, but not so smooth.
On four of them rest the points of magnificent tapering stalactites,
straight from the roof of the grotto, and in a line with these and the
two extreme columns are stalactites of various lengths, some plain and
some richly ornamented. The interior of the grotto is also enriched with
similar kinds of beauty. A little distance away to the left is to be
seen on another bold rocky ledge a second series of small stalactites,
suggestive of the commencement of another grotto similar to that which
now wins so much admiration. There is also a very remarkable stalagmitic
formation which resembles a wax candle burning before a shrine of
Purity. It is with reluctance that the tourist turns from this lovely
grotto and wends his way towards "The Vestry." He feels as though he
could hardly refrain from taking a last fond look, even though he should
run the risk of being converted into a limestone pillar.