heavy rainfall the night before and the opening is so situated as to
especially favor the inflow, which naturally indicates a greater cave
beneath a hidden passage. Here, as in most of the caves of the region,
is found a small lizard: it is totally blind but its ancestors evidently
were not, as is shown by conspicuous protuberances where the eyes should
be, but over which the skin is drawn without a wrinkle or seam to
indicate a former opening. These harmless creatures are not scaly, but
are clothed in a soft, shining, well-fitted skin, and the largest seen
were little more than six inches long.

Those who love perfect Nature in a most smiling mood should hasten to
visit Marble Cave while yet no railroad quite touches the county.

FOOTNOTES:

[2] The naturalist referred to is the late Prof. E.D. Cope.




CHAPTER IV.

FAIRY CAVE AND POWELL CAVE.


Fairy Cave enjoys the reputation of being the most beautiful yet
discovered in that cavernous region, and consequently a visit to it was
contemplated with considerable eagerness, although the mode of entrance
had been described with sufficient accuracy to prevent any misconception
of the difficulties to be overcome or the personal risk involved. To go