Also 7 stalagmites. [a. mod.L. stalagmītēs (Olaus Wormius: see STALACTITES), f. Gr. στάλαγμα STALAGMA or σταλαγμός a dropping, f. σταλακ-, σταλάσσειν: see STALACTIC a. Cf. F. stalagmite.]
1. An incrustation or deposit, more or less like an inverted stalactite, on the floor of a cavern, formed by the dropping from the roof of some material in solution.
1681. Grew, Musæum, III. § i. v. 295. The Cluster’d Stalagmites.
1758. Platt, in Phil. Trans., L. 527. The stalactites and stalagmites, of which there is great variety.
1841. Catlin, N. Amer. Ind. (1844), II. lii. 148. The rich stalagmites that grew up from the bottom reflected a golden light through the water.
1878. Huxley, Physiogr., viii. 122. As the stalagmite grows in height, it approaches the stalactite above which continues to grow downward.
2. Limestone deposited in this manner.
1815. Aikin, Min. (ed. 2), 159. Stalagmite occurs mammillated.
1823. Buckland, Reliq. Diluv., 12–3. The effect of the loam and stalagmite in preserving the bones from decomposition … has been very remarkable.
1882. Geikie, Text-bk. Geol., II. II. vi. 113. The crust-like deposit known as stalagmite.
3. attrib. Stalagmite marble, onyx marble.
1851. D. Wilson, Preh. Ann. (1863), I. iv. 122. Extinct fauna buried beneath its stalagmite flooring.
1864. J. Hunt, trans. Vogt’s Lect. Man, ix. 237. The stalagmite crust.
1895. Funk’s Stand. Dict., Stalagmite marble.
