^56 Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy. 



in the whole cavern. In both cases the dimensions are difficult to estimate, 

 except with abundant illumination, more particularly as their floors, which 

 are composed of huge boulders, are set at a somewhat steep angle — a dip of 

 25 degrees. 



The highest parts of this chamber, covered as they are with recently fallen 

 rocks, are devoid of interest ; but exception can be made in the case of one 

 large mass of combined stalactite and stalagmite. At its lowest point access 

 is gained under a low arch to a straight and narrow tunnel which loops from 

 west to east, and brings you back again into the bottom of the main chamber 

 through two separate openings. Both of these openings are remarkable for 

 the wind-distorted stalactites (anemolites) which depend from their arches. 



Situate in the floor of this tunnel is a narrow shaft, 8 feet deep, giving 

 access to a complicated system of parallel passages, known as the Maze. 



This system is intimately connected with that of the Closets, 

 previously mentioned in connexion with the Kingston Hall, which it 

 immediately adjoins. Communication between the two series is, however, 

 impracticable owing to the narrowness of the connecting links. The Maze 

 seems to have been unknown previously to 1908 — or at least its existence 

 forgotten — since inscriptions were found on its walls dating back to 1833. 

 Access to the greater portion of this system was obtained only by cutting 

 through an obstructing mound of stalagmite on the floor. 



Eeference to the plan will show that the Maze in reality consists of 

 a series of fissures parallel to those of the Sand Cave and the Kingston 

 Gallery. If the line of the main fissure be continued to the south, it will be 

 seen to pass through the position of the Kiver (Eoute II) and Martel's Pool 

 (Eoute III) ; both being points where still water is normally met with. It 

 would seem that this fissure marks the line where the subsoil water is reached 

 at the point of saturation. 



The return from the Garrett Cave, past the pillars known as Lot's Wife 

 and the Sentinel back to the House of Commons, needs no detailed account. 



Length of Passages in Eoute IV. 

 Main Passages : — 



House of Commons to Sentinel, .... 



Sentinel to entrance of Kingston Gallery, 



Length of Kingston Gallery to end of Kingston Hall, 



Length of Sand Cave, 



Length of Garrett Cave (approx.), .... 



42 



yds. 



34 



1) 



96 



» 



67 



» 



78 



)5 



317 yds. 



