266 Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy. 



limestone, but in three cases it was composed of a small fragment of Old Eed 

 Sandstone. The most remarkable example, however, was one measuring 

 3 cm. in length, in which the nucleus was composed of innumerable fragments 

 of stalagmite cemented together, forming nearly the whole of the pearl ; the 

 outer layers being composed of a coating only some 2 mm. in thickness. See 

 fig. 4, Plate XVII. (bottom right-hand corner). 



The Anenwlites. 



The term ' Anemolite ' has been used by cave explorers to denote certain 

 forms of stalactite which exhibit a departure from the normal type. 



So far as can be ascertained there is no printed reference to the subject 

 extant. 



An Anemolite is a stalactite which during its formation has been 

 subjected to wind action — i.e. to a current of air blowing constantly or 

 intermittently in one direction. As a consequence of this, the stalactite, 

 instead of growing directly downwards, is deflected more or less from the 

 vertical and in some instances assumes an angular form. 



Such formations are usually met with in narrow passages connecting 

 chambers of differing sizes. Owing to variations in temperature between 

 these different chambers, currents of air are set up between them, and, as 

 a consequence, any growing stalactites tend to become deflected from the 

 vertical. 



Several good examples were met with in the New Cave, all at narrow 

 openings which connected large chambers. The best specimen was found at 

 the Victoria Port-hole, and was unfortunately broken by a member of the 

 party in passing through. It consists of a curtain-like stalactite, the tip 

 of which is deflected considerably from the vertical (Plate XVII., fig. 3); the 

 deflection being away from the Victoria Cave. Another example was found 

 immediately within the Labyrinth Port-hole, and another in the narrow 

 passage traversed before reaching the Scotsman's Cave ; these two last consist 

 of stalactites which have grown to a length of about 2 inches, and have 

 then turned at right angles to the vertical for a length of about 1| inches. 

 At the eastern opening into the Maze tunnel, on the low roof of the Garrett 

 Cave, a considerable number were found, none, however, of any great size ; 

 they all have a deflection towards the Garrett Cave. At this point a 

 number of " pipe-stem " stalactites were met with, the majority of which 

 showed a deflection of about 3 inches in a length of 2 feet. These pipe- 

 stem stalactites occur in great profusion throughout the greater portions 

 of the less frequently visited parts of the New Cave ; they consist of 

 an exceedingly fine tube of stalactite, which has a diameter of about 



