176 PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 



The air in all the chambers seemed to be mild and pure, owing, no doubt, to 

 proper ventilation being carried on between the many fissures in the roof and the 

 mouth of the Cave. The stalactites seem to be blackened, not by smoke, but by a 

 funqus indigenous to the Cave ; and this locality would, probably, repay exami- 

 nation with regard to the class of plants (very little known) which inhabit subter- 

 raneous caverns. 



In conclusion I beg to express a hope that a desire to elucidate the peculiarities 

 of our far-famed Cave, will be considered an ample apology for again taking up a 

 subject which I had so lately treated at considerable length* 



MAY 26, 1854. 

 Doctor Lalor was called to the chair. 



Henry Clarke, Esq., Local Inspector of National Schools, was admitted a 

 member of the Institution. 



Rev. J. Graves then read the following MS., never before published, kindly com- 

 municated by the Marquis of Ormonde, from the Evidence Chamber, Kilkenny 

 Castle : — 



A SHORT TREATISE OF FIRR TREES, 



CONTAINING PLAIN AND PARTICULAR DIRECTIONS, WITH OBSERVATIONS FOR 

 THE PLANTING AND IMPROVING THEREOF. 



TO HIS GRACE JAMES, DUKE OF ORMOND, _LORD LIEUTENANT GENERAL, AND 

 GENERAL GOVERNOR OF THE KINGDOM OF IRELAND, ETC. 



The distinguishing zeal with which your Grace prosecutes 

 whatever is conducing to the welfare and prosperity of this kingdom setts so fair an 

 example before our eyes, that a man seems out of countenance (I may say out of 

 the fashion too) who, in his sphere or station, doth not endeavour to promote the 

 good and interest of his country. From this consideration, and in imitation of so 

 great a president, I have taken upon me to compose this short Treatise of Firr 

 Trees, believing it may contribute in some measure to the advantage and improve- 

 ment of this kingdom. The great success which those who plant this kind of tree have 

 of late mett withall, would intimate as if theOrmond Race and the Firr Tree, being 

 the two most noble and ancient productions of this island, there were a kind of 

 simpathy between them, and that the one affected to grow and thrive under the 

 government and auspicious influence of the other. Wherefore, being a most sincere 

 well-wisher to your Grace's most noble family, and having a peculiar esteem for 

 so usefull and beautyfull a tree, its my most earnest and hearty desire there may 

 never be wanting those of the one worthy to govern, while there are any of the 

 other growing in this kingdom ; nor are these wishes any other than what are dayly 

 offered up by, 



My Lord, 

 Your Grace's most faithfull and 



Most obedient, humble servant, 



Sam. Waring. 

 Dublin, June 9, 1705. 



INTRODUCTION. 



Seeing there are so frequent and particular accounts given us of roots, and trunks, 

 or stems of Firr Trees, that have been and are dayly discover'd, and taken up out of 

 boggs or mosse3 in most parts of this kingdom of Ireland ; and of some trees that 

 are said to be yet standing and growing in the province of Connaught, we must be 

 fully convinc'd that this island had, some time or other, been universally productive 

 of them. When, again, we are given to believe that the Brittish, on their first 

 coming over to this kingdom, made what destruction and havock they could (as in 

 the western plantations of America) of the oakes and what other trees they then 

 found standing, thereby to gain arable and pasture ground for the relief and support 

 of themselves and cattel ; and that, within the memory of some now living, and for 



