1S96.I Jamkson. — Caves of Ennhkillen and MUchehfoum, 97 



The first cavern we explored we gained access to by means 

 of an entrance at the bottom of a pit, formed evidently by the 

 falling in of a part of the roof. After exploring several dry 

 galleries and a vertical swallow-hole opening on the hill 

 above us, we found on a lower level the river itself. Further 

 progress was impossible without the boat, as a large 

 and deep pool, an expansion of the underground stream, 

 barred our way. The boat was brought into the cave, its 

 constituent parts filling two large canvas bags, and was put 

 together ; by this means we were able to investigate this 

 hitherto unexplored river. A detailed account of this 

 ** voyage" would occupy too much space, and no doubt it 

 will in due time be fully described by Mr. Martel. The stream 

 was *' navigable " for about 300 yards. 



We afterwards investigated some small swallow-holes which 

 mark above ground the course of these streams. The chief 

 stream, the Monaster, as it is called, enters upon its subter- 

 ranean course at Poolawaddy. 



Above this its course is through a deep narrow gorge, which 

 ends in a cliff, into a cavern in which the stream falls. I was 

 informed that in heavy floods the volume of water in this 

 gorge is so much greater than the cave can quickly drain off 

 that the valle}^ becomes a deep lake. 



This day's work completed our Enniskillen explorations, 



From the 22nd to the 25th of July I was engaged exploring 

 Mitchelstown Cave. I will not attempt any description of 

 this underground labyrinth, as it has now been completely 

 mapped by Mr. Martel, who is publishing in this number of 

 the Irish NaUtralist a description and plan of it. It was dis- 

 covered some sixty j^ears ago by the grandfather of the 

 present tenant of the land on which is the entrance ; he broke 

 into one of the obstructed swallow-holes when quarrying. 

 This is the only known opening. The so-called " river " is 

 only a little pool of water in a basin of rock. I fully explored 

 it, crossing over to the opposite side of it. I found that its 

 high -water line is marked all round by a calcareous deposit, 

 and, when it is flooded up to this, it empties itself by a small 

 opening, about a foot in diameter, into some deeper and 

 unexplored chamber. 



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