I9IO. Moloney and others—^ Blackivater Cavern. 147 



It is neceSvSary to state here that the part}- being at Kanturk 

 on other business, and the expedition to the caves being 

 hurriedl}' organized, they we "e unprovided with a compass, 

 clinometer, or any instrument for taking levels. The distances 

 were estimated by pacing. The directions were roughl}' traced 

 on a sheet of paper en route- The stalactite measurements, 

 the plumb lines, and the height where the roof could be 

 reached were measured with a small tape-measure. However, 

 with these poor materials every effort was made to ensure 

 accurate returns. 



After a short journey along the above-mentioned passage 

 the tunnel divides into two. That on the right, a bedding 

 cave, winds slightly towards the south ; the rock-bed 

 dips at a steep angle, but is covered with a coating of silt, 

 which greatly diminishes the slope. One can slide to the 

 bottom without danger. After wet seasons however it would 

 seem as if the floor becomes covered with water. A small 

 sink-hole occurs, in which water was perceived a foot below 

 the mouth of the funnel. Climbing the slope, a feat which 

 cannot be always performed at the first attempt, as one slips 

 down the soft clay, an opening about 9 feet in circumference 

 disclosed another bedding cave, which takes the form of a 

 kind of ^* Giant's Pot." The dip is here very steep, and the 

 bottom of the cave is covered with a pool. On plumbing we 

 found the water five feet deep and the slope 15 feet long., the 

 height of the roof being about 18 feet from the water-level. 

 We did not descend, as the operation could not be performed 

 with safety without the aid of a rope. 



A journey of about thirty yards, taking the passage to the 

 left, brings one to a gallery, which exhibits the most re- 

 markable luxuriance of stalactite growths in the cave. This 

 gallery runs towards the w^est. The large bosses, resembling 

 the projectiles of a big gun, suggested the name "Magazine." 

 Continuing the journey beyond the "Magazine" the floor 

 rises, and one can no longer walk. At a point about 70 yards 

 from the 8-feet drop, near the entrance, an earth-fall stops 

 further progre.ss. Just before reaching this point two re- 

 markable sink-holes open in the floor. The tops of these 

 funnels are some yards in circumference, but they narrow 

 lower down to 3 feet. On plumbing one we found it 20 feet 



