The grotto was spacious, the floor smooth, and covered with a fine dry sand.

From the appearance of these crystals, I suspected their nature, and, on breaking off a piece and tasting it, I found, to my great joy, that we were in a grotto of rock salt, which is found in large masses in the earth, usually above a bed of gypsum, and surrounded by fossils.

We were charmed with this discovery, of which we could no longer have a doubt.

What an advantage this was to our cattle, and to ourselves! We could now procure this precious commodity without care or labour.

The acquisition was almost as valuable as this brilliant retreat was in itself, of which we were never tired of admiring the beauty.