In the foreground is a hall which leads to an unexplored region below, and the entrance to which is guarded by a fence to prevent accidents. The floor is curiously formed by a series of basins, the rims of which are shaped into every variety of curve and indentation, running in and out like frilling, not with regular curved lines like escallops, but representing in miniature the waterlines of a quiet harbour with large bays and pretty inlets and creeks and reaches, without a single straight line. The edges of these basins are about two inches in height, covered on the outside by sparkling limestone, like delicate coral, thickening towards the floor. Inside the formation is still more beautiful, with coralline matter of the same general character swelling out to the most graceful concavity. There is perfection in every segment, and in every tiny cell lurks tremulous light. CHAPTER XIX. KATIE'S BOWER. Taking a course between the parallel fences of wire-netting, and travelling about 25 yards, the Jewel Casket is seen on the western side of the cave. It extends about 20 feet due south, and is about two feet six inches high by about six feet wide. It does not contain any new type of beauty, but rather represents a collection of the most enchanting cave splendours. Even the stalactites and stalagmites are overlaid with ornamentation. It is a focus of dazzling brilliancy. [Illustration: KATIE'S BOWER.] Returning to the junction, there is a descent by steps south-west into "Katie's Bower," which is the last chamber in the left-hand branch of the Imperial Cave. Forty-three of these steps are like cement, 10 are cut in the solid rock, and 19 are of wood. On the left-hand side, at the foot of the staircase, is a hole 70 feet deep. To the north of the entrance, at the top of the wooden steps, is a remarkable formation suggestive of a Chinese pagoda, waxy-amber-and-flesh-coloured. To the left is a beautifully-formed dome, with convexities of pure white, sparkling all over as though it were studded with diamonds cut with large facets. At the bottom of the dome are numerous stalactites, resting on a curved rock coated with the same material. It is like a richly bejewelled throne with a grand canopy suspended from the roof by a large stalactite. It contains many hundredweight of formation, and is about three yards from end to end of the curve. It is ornamented with filagree work and stalactites of the most curious and beautiful kinds, and on the upper surface are some handsome stalagmites. At the rear of this splendid canopy, set with precious stones, is a recess with a sparkling floor.