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.
