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Page 257:-
against the bottom of some rocks, or passages worn into them to a
considerable distance, when it was descending after rain, as then
happened to be the case.- This deep is not without its
inhabitants: large black trouts are frequently caught in it by
the neighbouring people. Botanists find here some rare and
curious plants.
On our return from the margin of this Avernian lake, we found the
observation of the poet Virgil very applicable,-
... Fascilis descensus Averni:
Noctes atque dies patet atri janua Ditis;
Sed revocare gradum, superasque evadere ad auras,
Hoc opus, hic labor est.
The gates of hell are open night and day;
Smooth the descent, and easy is the way;
But to return, and view the cheerful skies -
In this the task and mighty labour lies.
Dryden.
When we arrived in the superior regions, we pursued our journey
about a hundred and fifty yards farther up a very narrow
grotesque glen, over a natural bridge of limestone above ten
yards thick, having the subterranean river Wease, or Greta,
underneath. When we got to the head of this gill, we were stopped
by a deep chasm called Ginglepot, at the bottom of a precipice.
It is of an oblong and narrow form. An enterprising person, with
a steady head and active heels, regardless of the fatal
consequences from a false step, might leap over it. It is filled
with smooth pebbles at the bottom except the south corner, where
there is a deep water, which, in floods, swells up to the top,
and issues out in a vast torrent. The length of this chasm is
about ten yards, and the perpendicular depth at the north corner,
about twenty yards.- In our way from Hurtlepot, we could not help
remarking the ruins of two small artificial mounts of earth,
which, we were told, formerly served as buts (sic), when the
inhabitants exercised themselves in the ancient military
accomplishment of archery. The naturalist must also be
entertained with the successful efforts
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