Large Tree in Mexico, 51 



Maria are about the same size, or somewhat smaller. [A Mexi- 

 can vara, Mr. Poinsett says, is SSJ English inches; so that 

 the large tree is 127 ft. in circumference.] The large tree, I 

 think, may be about 120 ft. high ; and, comparatively to its bulk, 

 has but little foliage, less than the smaller trees surrounding it. 

 It moreover appears in the prime of its growth, and has not a 

 single dead branch on it. The enormous branches that spring 

 out of the trunk, some 30 ft. high, make it appear (as all these 

 trees do) as if there were three or four trees united. I have, 

 however, no doubt that it is one entire tree, as one entire bark 

 encircles the grand trunk. 



" This tree is an object of considerable veneration with the 

 natives of the village, and the neighbouring Indians ; who 

 in former times, it is said, offered sacrifices to it. It is men- 

 tioned by Cortez, in his history of the conquest of Oaxaca, as 

 at that time the greatest wonder he had seen, and the shade 

 of which served for the whole of his little army of Europeans. 



" Enormous as the size of this tree may appear, I am cre- 

 dibly informed that there yet exist, in the road to Guatemala, 

 by the ancient city of Palenque, now in ruins, trees of the 

 same class, equal to this in size, if not somewhat larger. 

 " With great respect, I am, my dear Sir, 

 " Your faithful servant, 



" Richard Exter. 

 " His Excellency J, R. Poinsett, Mexico,*' 



The following notice of the trees at Chapultepec, mentioned 

 above, is from Mr. Ward's Travels in Mexico, vol. ii. p. 230. : — 



" In the gardens of Chapultepec, Mexico, the first object 

 that strikes the eye is the magnificent cypress (Sabino Ahua- 

 huete, or Cupressus disticha), called the cypress of Monte- 

 zuma. It had attained its full growth when that monarch was 

 on the throne (1520), so that it must now be, at least, 400 

 years old ; yet it still retains all the vigour of youthful vege- 

 tation. The trunk is 4- 1 ft. in circumference ; yet the height is 

 so majestic as to make even this enormous mass appear slen- 

 der. On a close inspection, it appears to be composed of 

 three trees, the trunks of which unite towards the root so 

 closely as to blend into one. This circumstance, however, led 

 us to give the preference to a second cypress, not quite equal 

 to the first in circumference (it is 38 ft. in girth), but as old, 

 as lofty, and distinguished by a slight curve towards the 

 middle of the stem, which gives it a particularly graceful 

 appearance." I am, Sir, yours, &c. 



Philadelphia, Oct. 10. 1829. J. M. 



