150 , The Irish Natu7alist. August, 



Near the head of the " Cloisters," at a spot marked by a 

 large fallen rock (which is the only one of any magnitude in 

 the cave), a gallery branches off to the east. At the entrance 

 to this galler}^ stands a most remarkable group. First there is 

 a delicate growth of brown anemolites 2 feet long and taking 

 an interlaced zigzag form, and so fragile that they would 

 break off at the slightest touch of the fingertips. There 

 follows a white stalactite 2 feet long. Then a white pillar 

 7J feet in length joins roof and floor ; this is obviouslj^ a 

 stalactite which has reached the floor at a comparativelj^ 

 recent period, as there is no boss at the bottom. Another 

 delicate series of growths succeeds, and then tw^o stalactites 

 emerging from the roof some inches apart unite and form an 

 anemolite 6 feet long resembling a stout bamboo cane and 

 ridged like the latter at regular intervals. There is a ver}' 

 rapid drip from this stalactite. Beyond this stalactite is 

 another very delicate growth. What is most remarkable in 

 this group is that all the anemolites bend towards the centre 

 pillar, those to the east of it bending west, and those to the 

 west bending east. It would seem as if the pillar and the 

 stouter white stalactites act as a shelter to the smaller growths. 

 We found several anemolites of leSvSer note at the junction of 

 other passages in the cave. We experienced a ver}' percept- 

 able draught in the "■ Cloisters." This is probably the reason 

 why anemolites occur at the junction of this with other 

 passages. 



A course of abotit 27 j^ards past another beautiful curtain 

 (with folds giving it a resemblance to a half closed bat's wing, 

 12 feet by 15 feet by 5 inches in dimensions) brought us to a 

 beautiful stalagmite arch which suggested the name "Golden 

 Gate." There was a steep descent along a stalagmite floor to 

 this point. Beyond the " Golden Gate " there was a pool of 

 clear water, and here occurred a phenomenon which suggests 

 another problem for the hydrologist. When the party returned 

 the following night the pool had disappeared ! 



We measured the space which it had occupied and found it 

 to be 16 3^ards long, 3 yards wide at its narrowest point, and 

 9 yards at its widest point, where it forms a slight curve at the 

 end of the gallery (which is here 15 feet high.) The average 

 depth, as evidenced by the line on the side wall, was 2\ feet. 



