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Show NEW DISCOVERIES IN CARLSBAD CAVERN PISOLITES ON THE FLOOR OF THE ROOKERY These spherical bodies, about half an inch in diameter, are made up of concentric shells like pearls. This onion-shell structure results from deposition in water charged with calcium carbonate. Where the water from the ceiling drops with some force, a "nest" is formed and the "eggs" are prevented from becoming fast. The water flowing from the "nest" deposits sheets of rock material, which cements the previously formed "eggs" into a solid mass. These spherical bodies are known to geologists as pisolites and to jewelers as cave pearls (see text, page 315). folds before he is convinced that they are cold, hard stone. Another chamber, or series of chambers, near the Dome Room proved to be equally surprising, but in a very different way. A group of stalactites and stalagmites at the entrance suggests a giant portiere (see illustration, page 309) and farther along a second group of stalactites gives forth musical tones when lightly touched. One of the stalactites was accidentally broken and water began at once to flow from its central tube. It proved to be excellent drinking water, and we sipped from this natural spigot whenever we passed. A SERIES OF CHAMBERS AT A LOWER LEVEL IS EXPLORED Toward the right, as one enters the Big Room, the trail ordinarily used ends abruptly at the brink of a chasm, where one gazes into a pit 90 feet deep and nearly 300 feet across. The domed ceiling of this spacious ro- |