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 recherché 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.
NELLIE'S GROTTO.