Stalagmite vs. Stalactite?

[Brenda M.]

No: HPFGUIDX 106844

Hi All,

WOW, I've been busy for a few days and now I feel estranged from HPFG 
already! So much to catch up!

Anyhoo, so I started re-reading the Philosopher's Stone for the 
second time (only)... and the same thing that intrigued me the first-
time around made me raise my eyebrows again.

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'I never know,' Harry called to Hagrid over the noise of the 
cart, 'what's the difference between a stalagmite and stalactite?'
[PS, 58. UK]
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Now, am I the only one who feels this line is quite... out of line? 
This is probably the only scientific/technical term used throughout 
the whole book, or even HP series IIRC. And not just common technical 
jargons, but quite 'foreign' words with difficult pronunciation. Why 
did JKR bother putting this in? Is it important in any ways? 
Something to do with all the dungeons we see at Hogwarts and the 
Ministry?

Any thoughts?


Brenda, now hurrying to read other posts