In many parts of the earth are found caverns, or deep cavities and
grottoes, which are remarkable on account of their great extent, and
for the grand and imposing appearance of the rocks which compose the
sides and roof.
Fingal’s cave, in the island Staffa, one of the western islands of
Scotland, is a noted cave.
[Illustration: FINGAL’S CAVE.]
It is thus described by a celebrated traveller. ‘The mind can hardly
form an idea more magnificent than such a space, supported on each side
by ranges of basaltic columns and roofed by the ends of those which
have been broken off, between the angles of which, a yellow matter has
exuded, which serves to define the angles exactly, and at the same time
vary the color with a great degree of elegance. To render it still more
imposing, the whole is lighted up from without, so that the farthest
extremity is visible, and the air within being agitated by the motion
of the water, is perfectly wholesome, and free from the noxious vapors
with which caverns are usually filled.’
Some caverns are of great depth, descending in some instances, eleven
thousand feet. Others, after a descent, assume a horizontal direction,
and are formed into many grottoes. The most remarkable grotto known,
is the Grotto of the island Antiparos, in the Archipelago sea. The
principal chamber of this cavern is exhibited on page 3.
In many caverns, water is found at a great depth, and this
circumstance, together with the fact that water is obtained by digging
deep wells, seems to prove that there are sheets of water under ground,
which extend to considerable distances.