n
the lake bottom. It must not be supposed that the ore is deposited as a
fine mud or sediment. On the contrary, in this lake ore, as it is
called, we have an excellent illustration of what is called
concretionary action--that is, the tendency of matter when in a fine
state of division to aggregate its particles into masses about some
central nucleus, which may be a fragment of sunken wood, a grain of
sand, or indeed a pre-formed small mass of itself."

It is claimed for this water ore, which is gathered like oysters, that
mixed with bog ore and magnetic iron, and smelted with charcoal, the
result as obtained is strong, durable and high priced.

The curiously elastic quarter of a mile finally yielded to persistent
toil, and the cave was reached. The entrance is sufficiently broad to
give a good first impression, and is under a heavy ledge of limestone
which breaks the slope of the hill and is artistically decorated with a
choice collection of foliage, among which is a coral honeysuckle; the
fragrant variety grows everywhere. Under the ledge is a narrow
vestibule, out of the north end of which is a passage about twenty-four
inches in width, between perpendicular walls, and as steeply inclined as
the average dwelling-house stairway but without any assisting
depressions to serve as steps. Mr. Irwin cut a grape vine, and making
one end secure at the entrance, provided a hand rail, by the aid of
which I was able to easily descend the stepless way and afterwards
remount.

The first chamber entered is the principal portion of the cave, and by
actual measurement is forty-nine feet in length by forty-eight in
greatest width and the height estimated at fifty feet. On account of
irregularities it appears smaller but higher. On opposite sides of the
chamber, at elevation about midway between the floor and ceiling are two
open galleries. The floor is extremely irregular with its accumulation
of fallen masses of rock, and the action of water has given to portions
of the walls the appearance of pillars supporting the arches of the
roof. The whole aspect is that of a small Gothic chapel. Off to the
northwest is another room measuring thirty feet in each direction, and
out of this are several openings, too small to squeeze through, which
indicate the possible existence of other chambers beyond, but they may
be only drain pipes.

The cave contains no drip formations, notwithstanding which it is one of
the most charming, and when inv