Bat In Stone
Description:
One of the most interesting rock formations in Carlsbad Caverns, this is actually the skeleton of a bat encased in calcite. Presumably the bat died on a stalagmite, and was slowly entombed by the action of water dripping on the skeleton and leaving calcite traces behind. The translucent stone is lit from behind with a flashlight, so that the shadowy bones of the bat can be seen inside the stone. The skull and part of the wing bones are clearly visible.
