The water bowl is a large
depression worn in the top of a rock which seems to have been built into
the wall. In front it is five feet high and nine feet across, with
artistic corners approximately alike, and at the back ornamental carving
extends upward towards the ceiling with an opening through the wall at
the center. This opening is divided by a short column down which water
trickles to supply the bowl. The ceiling here is about thirty-five feet
high and most of the exposed surface is a blue-gray limestone. Only one
portion of Gentry Cave has received a deposit of dripstone and even that
is of limited extent, and located at the end of a narrow slippery
passage between high, slippery walls.
The fine entrance is of grey limestone in undisturbed horizontal strata,
and this is so plainly marked in the roof-supporting pillars as to give
them the appearance of having been prepared by skillful hands, in
several blocks, and afterwards arranged in place without the aid of
mortar. Unfortunately, all efforts to photograph this wonderful portico
have failed to give satisfaction--its position above the river being
such as to afford no point for the proper placing of the camera; but a
second visit made for the purpose of trying was far from being a loss,
and part of the reward consisted of finding among the sheltered rocks,
scarcely three feet above the floor, two humming birds' nests with their
treasure of small eggs, and our little companion who discovered them was
pleased to leave them untouched.
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