Chapter I: Preface
THE following historical and descriptive account of the Jenolan (formerly called the Fish River) Caves was written for the _Sydney Morning Herald_. By the kind permission of the proprietors of that journal (Messrs. John Fairfax and Sons) and, at the request of numerous correspondents, it is now republished. The author is conscious, however, that neither tongue, nor pen, nor pictorial art can convey an adequate idea of the magnificence and exquisite beauty of these caves. Words are too poor to express the feelings of admiration and awe which are experienced by those who wander through the marvellous subterranean galleries embellished with myriads of graceful and fantastic forms of purest white alternating with rich colour and delicate tints and shades. Of all the caves in New South Wales those at Jenolan are the most beautiful, and well-travelled men admit that they are unrivalled in any other part of the world. As they are so little known this book may be interesting, and serve to give some impression concerning geological transformations and the slow processes of Nature in the production of works at once grand, ornate, and unique.
The illustrations are from photographs by Messrs. Kerry and Jones of Sydney, who have generously permitted the author to make selections from their beautiful and extensive series of cave pictures.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I. PAGE
HOW THE CAVES WERE DISCOVERED 13
CHAPTER II.
THE APPROACH TO THE CAVES 17
CHAPTER III.
THE EXTERNAL FEATURES OF THE CAVES--THE GRAND ARCH 20
CHAPTER IV.
THE DEVIL'S COACH HOUSE 33
CHAPTER V.
THE NIGHT CAVES 39
CHAPTER VI.
THE NETTLE CAVE 43
CHAPTER VII.
THE ARCH CAVE 48
CHAPTER VIII.
THE CARLOTTA ARCH 55
CHAPTER IX.
THE ELDER CAVE 58
CHAPTER X.
THE LUCAS CAVE--THE MUSIC HALL--THE SHAWL CAVE 65
CHAPTER XI.
THE EXHIBITION--THE BROKEN COLUMN--THE JEWEL CASKET--JUDGE
WINDEYER'S COUCH--THE UNDERGROUND BRIDGE 73
CHAPTER XII.
THE LURLINE CAVE--THE FOSSIL BONE CAVE--THE SNOWBALL CAVE 83
CHAPTER XIII.
THE BONE CAVES 88
CHAPTER XIV.
THE IMPERIAL CAVE--THE WOOL SHED AND THE GRAVEL PITS--THE
ARCHITECT'S STUDIO--THE BONE CAVE 92
CHAPTER XV.
THE MARGHERITA CAVE 99
CHAPTER XVI.
THE HELENA CAVE 102
CHAPTER XVII.
THE GROTTO CAVE 108
CHAPTER XVIII.
THE LUCINDA CAVE 113
CHAPTER XIX.
KATIE'S BOWER 116
CHAPTER XX.
THE RIGHT-HAND BRANCH OF THE IMPERIAL CAVE--THE SUBTERRANEAN
RIVER 122
CHAPTER XXI.
THE FOSSIL BONE CAVE, THE SPARKLING ROCK, AND THE CRYSTAL
ROCK 133
CHAPTER XXII.
THE SHAWL CAVE 136
CHAPTER XXIII.
LOT'S WIFE 139
CHAPTER XXIV.
THE CRYSTAL CITIES--THE SHOW-ROOM AND THE GRAND STALACTITES 147
CHAPTER XXV.
THE FAIRIES' BOWER--THE SELINA CAVE--THE MYSTERY--NELLIE'S
GROTTO 154
CHAPTER XXVI.
THE VESTRY, THE JEWEL CASKET, THE BRIDAL VEIL, AND THE
FLOWERING COLUMN 163
CHAPTER XXVII.
HOW CAVES ARE MADE--THE WORK OF AGES 168
CHAPTER XXVIII.
THE GARDEN PALACE--THE STALAGMITE CAVE AND THE GEM OF
THE WEST 174
CHAPTER XXIX.
THE FAIRIES' RETREAT--THE QUEEN'S DIAMONDS 181
CHAPTER XXX.
GENERAL IMPRESSIONS--CAVES UNEXPLORED 184
CHAPTER XXXI.
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The Jenolan Caves: An Excursion in Australian WonderlandChapter I: Preface
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