176 
PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 
The air in all the chambers seemed to be mild and pure, owing, no doubt, to 
proper ventilation being carried on between the many fissures in the roof and the 
mouth of the Cave. The stalactites seem to be blackened, not by smoke, but by a 
fungus indigenous to the Cave; and this locality would, probably, repay exami¬ 
nation with regard to the class of plants (very little known) which inhabit subter¬ 
raneous caverns. 
In conclusion I beg to express a hope that a desire to elucidate the peculiarities 
of our far-famed Cave, will be considered an ample apology for again taking up a 
subject which I had so lately treated at considerable length. 
MAY 26, 1854. 
Doctor Lalor was called to the chair. 
Henry Clarke, Esq., Local Inspector of National Schools, was admitted a 
member of the Institution. 
Rev. J. Graves then read the following MS., never before published, kindly com¬ 
municated by the Marquis of Ormonde, from the Evidence Chamber, Kilkenny 
Castle:— 
A SHORT TREATISE OF FIRR TREES, 
CONTAINING PLAIN AND PARTICULAR DIRECTIONS. WITH OBSERVATIONS FOR 
THE PLANTING AND IMPROVING THEREOF. 
TO HIS GRACE JAMES, DUKE OE ORMOND, .LORD LIEUTENANT GENERAL, AND 
GENERAL GOVERNOR OF THE KINGDOM OF IRELAND, ETC. 
My Lord, 
The distinguishing zeal with which your Grace prosecutes 
whatever is conducing to the welfare and prosperity of this kingdom setts so fair an 
example before our eyes, that a man seems out of countenance (I may say out of 
the fashion too) who, in his sphere or station, doth not endeavour to promote the 
good and interest of his country. From this consideration, and in imitation of so 
great a president, I have taken upon me to compose this short Treatise of Firr 
Trees, believing it may contribute in some measure to the advantage and improve¬ 
ment of this kingdom. The great success which those who plant this kind of tree have 
of late mett withall, would intimate as if the Ormond Race and the Firr Tree, being 
the two most noble and ancient productions of this island, there were a kind of 
simpathy between them, and that the one affected to grow and thrive under the 
government and auspicious influence of the other. Wherefore, being a most sincere 
well-wisher to your Grace’s most noble family, and having a peculiar esteem for 
so usefull and beautyfull a tree, its my most earnest and hearty desire there may 
never be wanting those of the one -worthy to govern, while there are any of the 
other growing in this kingdom ; nor are these wishes any other than what are dayly 
offered up by, 
My Lord, 
Your Grace’s most faithfull and 
Most obedient, humble servant, 
Sam. Waring. 
Dublin, June 9, 1705. 
INTRODUCTION. 
Seeing there are so frequent and particular accounts given us of roots, and trunks, 
or stems of Firr Trees, that have been and are dayly discover’d, and taken up out of 
boggs or mosses in most parts of this kingdom of Ireland ; and of some trees that 
are said to be yet standing and growing in the province of Connaught, we must be 
fully convinc’d that this island had, some time or other, been universally productive 
of them. When, again, we are given to believe that the Brittish, on their first 
coming over to this kingdom, made what destruction and havock they could (as in 
the western plantations of America) of the oakes and what other trees they then 
found standing, thereby to gain arable and pasture ground for the relief and support 
of themselves and cattel; and that, within the memory of some now living, and for 
