We explored to a distance of about three miles from the entrance, and found a succession of chambers of great dimensions and of great beauty when lit up with our rockets.
Stalactites and stalagmites of all sizes were discovered.

Some of the former were many feet in diameter and extended from ceiling to floor; some of the latter were but a few feet high from the floor; but the formation is going on constantly, and many centuries hence these stalagmites will extend to the ceiling and become complete columns.

The stalagmites were all a little concave, and the cavities were filled with water.

The water percolates through the roof, a drop at a time--often the drops several minutes apart--and more or less charged with mineral matter.

Evaporation goes on slowly, leaving the mineral behind.