However, this luxuriant vegetation does not only embellish the outer vault but also reaches into the vestibule of the grotto. We saw, to our surprise, that superb heliconias 18 feet tall, with banana-tree type leaves, praga palms and arborescent arums bordered the rivulet's banks right into the cave. Vegetation penetrates inside the Caripe cave some thirty to forty paces. We measured the way in by means of a cord, and went about 430 feet without needing to light torches. Daylight reaches this place because the cave forms one single gallery that stretches south-east to north-west. In the spot where light begins to fail we heard the hoarse screams of the nocturnal birds that, according to the Indians, live only in these underground caves.