Entitled "A Wonderful Result of Prolonged Chemical Action," photographic reproduction depicts stalactites and stalagmites in the caves at Cheddar, Somerset, England. Accompanying text describes how the growths are a result of water trickling from the limestone rocks above the cave resulting in chalk, or carbonate of lime, formations.

This plate is found within The Romance of Modern Chemistry, which is a layman's introduction to topics in chemistry. Includes a history of chemistry along with alchemy and the philosopher's stone; elements including organic, invisible, metals, acids, alkalies, and water; chemical changes such as fire, freezing and explosions; chemistry of the stars; food; electricity; solutions and crystals; as well as discoveries in chemistry.