He measured the smallest of three rooms which he entered after his journey down the main corridor, which he describes as "slow and laborious." The room measured 160 by 140 feet. "The middle room was three times this size, and the first room was even larger," he said. He noted the "curtains" formed of onyx created by the deposit of lime carbonate dripping from above. The ceilings were found to be covered with curtains of these stalactites which had grown together during the ages. At times they met with stalagmites to form solid pillars of seemingly carved formations. At times the floor was rough and covered with fallen blocks of stone. In other places it was quite smooth and flat, obviously the result of years of solutive action by water. Stalagmites do not grow in areas covered for any length of time by water, such as an underground pool. In one place the stalactites were so slender and numerous that Dr. Lee referred to them as resembling "a porcupine in posture of defense." Dr. Lee's group gave names to many of the rooms and formations, many of which have since been changed. But one which has stuck with all explorers, both before and since Dr. Lee's excursion, is the Big Room. This underground colossus impresses everyone who sees it, and Dr. Lee hesitated to estimate its dimension. "Over half a mile long," he said at that time, "with a ceiling some 200 feet high." Big as the room was, he felt it was equally remarkable for its numerous dripstone decorations, their variety and size. Some, he noted, rose to 50 feet in height. He found some stalagmites were still "growing," for they were darker in color than those no longer alive, indicating the presence of water and continued growth. As the supply of water ceases they become lighter in color, almost powdery. One of the largest he described were the Twin Domes, which he said were more than 100 feet high and some 200 feet across at the base. They are, today, much the same as he first observed them and are one of the favorite formations of all cave visitors. In the light of Dr. Lee's primitive torchlight, the base showed up a dark green, with the grooved pillars light cream in color, both glittering and sparkling as the light struck them. Other interesting observations by the party included the location of extinct seeps on the floor of the big room, the basins of which were up to about 50 feet in diameter, pedestals of onyx resembling toadstools and so called by the party, and an underground series of chambers through one of which flows a stream of clear water. Dr. Lee's party was unprepared for the vastness and extent of the Caverns. Although his group had come prepared for a sizeable task, the job overwhelmed them. Although they mapped much of the underground passageways and rooms, they could see much was left undone.