Underground Topography in Ireland

Abstract

THE exploration of caves has become an athletic pursuit for certain enthusiastic specialists, perhaps as a complement to mountain-climbing. The results, however, have distinct scientific value, when careful plans of the caves are made, and underground waterways are traced. Attention has been directed in these pages to the economic bearing of “spelæology” in the Juras, and the work of the geographer is obviously incomplete, if his streams terminate, as so often happens, in swallow-holes in a limestone area, while others appear freshly on the surface, but may prove to be old friends returning to the upper world. Cave-research is arduous and often dangerous, and the wonder is that such accurate observations are provided for us by men who have to work under cramped conditions, and sometimes liberally immersed in water.