without the minor cavities in the sides, of which there were
several, each cavity having a corresponding protuberance opposite. The
bottom of the gulf was covered to the depth of three or four inches with
a powder almost impalpable, beneath which we found a continuation of the
black granite. To the right, at the lower extremity, will be noticed the
appearance of a small opening; this is the fissure alluded to above, and
to examine which more minutely than before was the object of our second
visit. We now pushed into it with vigor, cutting away a quantity of
brambles which impeded us, and removing a vast heap of sharp flints
somewhat resembling arrowheads in shape. We were encouraged to
persevere, however, by perceiving some little light proceeding from the
farther end. We at length squeezed our way for about thirty feet, and
found that the aperture was a low and regularly formed arch, having a
bottom of the same impalpable powder as that in the main chasm. A strong
light now broke upon us, and, turning a short bend, we found ourselves
in another lofty chamber, similar to the one we had left in every
respect but longitudinal form. Its general figure is here given.
The total length of this chasm, commencing at the opening a and
proceeding round the curve _b_ to the extremity _d_, is five hundred and
fifty yards. At _c_ we discovered a small aperture similar to the one
through which we had issued from the other chasm, and this was choked up
in the same manner with brambles and a quantity of the white arrowhead
flints. We forced our way through it, finding it about forty feet long,
and emerged into a third chasm. This, too, was precisely like the
first, except in its longitudinal shape, which was thus.
We found the entire length of the third chasm three hundred and
twenty yards. At the point _a_ was an opening about six feet wide, and
extending fifteen feet into the rock, where it terminated in a bed of
marl, there being no other chasm beyond, as we had expected. We were
about leaving this fissure, into which very little light was admitted,
when Peters called my attention to a range of singular-looking
indentures in the surface of the marl forming the termination of the
_cul-de-sac_. With a very slight exertion of the imagination, the left,
or most northern of these indentures might have been taken for the
intentional, although rude, representation of a human figure standing
erect, with outstretched arm. The rest of them
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