226 NEW PUBLICATIONS. 
sources, and gives some glimpses of the flue scenery and grand vege- 
tation of the countrj^ to which it relates. The To-Semite Valley, with 
its bold rocts, numerous waterfalls, lakes, woods, and rivers, must- 
still be a fine field for botanical exploration. What interests us most 
is the account given of the Mammoth trees (Sequoia Wellinf/tonia, 
Seem.), which, though not so complete as the one published a few 
years ago in the * Annals of Natural History,' furnishes a few addi- 
tional details. The suggestion there thrown out that the Grove of 
Calaveras might have been discovered by Mr. G. M. Wooster, because 
his name and the date June, 1850, was found on one of the trees 
termed ^' Hercules," is confirmed in so far that Wooster was one of 
the party who found the trees. But *' Mr. Wooster," says our author, 
*' disclaims all title to the discovery, and gives it to W, Whitehead, Esq., 
who, while tying his shoe, looked casually around, and saw the trees, 
June, 1850." In a country where large trees are as abundant as tall 
men are in Kentucky and Virginia, this discovery does not seem to have 
attracted much attention at first. At least two years later, that is in 
the spring of 1852, they were re-discovered by Mr. A. T. Dowd, a 
hunter, employed by the Union Water Company, of Murphy's Camp, 
Calaveras County, to supply the workmen with fresh meat. 
" While industriously following in pursuit, he suddenly came upon one of 
those immense trees, that have since become so justly celebrated throughout 
the ciTiHzed world. All thoughts of hunting were absorbed and lost in the 
wonder and surprise inspired bj the scene. ' Surely,' he mused, ' this must 
be some curiously delusive dream !' but the great realities standing there 
before him, were convincing proof, beyond a doubt, that they were no mere 
fanciful creations of his imagination. 
" When he returned to camp, and there related the wonders he had seen, 
his companions laughed at him and doubted his veracity, which previously 
they had considered to be very reliable. He affirmed his statement to be true, 
but they still thought it * too much of a story ' to behove, — thiuthig that he was * 
trying to perpetrate upon them some first-of- April joke, 
" For a day or two he allowed the matter to rest, — submitting, with chuck- 
ling satisfaction, tt) the occasional jocular allusions to * his big tree yarn,' and 
continued his hunting as formerly. On the Sunday morning following, ho 
went out early as usual, and returned in haste, evidently excited by some 
event. * Boys,' he exclaimed, ' I have killed the largest grizzly bear that I 
ever saw in my life. While I am getting a little something to eat, yon niak^ 
preparations to bring him in. All had better go that can possibly be spared, 
as their assistance will certainly bo needed.' 
"As the big tree story was now almost forgotten, or by common consent 
