208 



THE MOUNTAINS OF CALIFORNIA 



growing considerably 

 higher, say 10,500 feet. 

 The tallest specimens, 

 growing in sheltered hol 

 lows somewhat beneath 

 the heaviest wind-cur 

 rents, are from eighty to 

 a hundred feet high, and 

 from two to four feet in 

 diameter. The very lar 

 gest specimen I ever 

 found was nineteen feet 

 seven inches in circum 

 ference four feet from 

 the ground, growing on 



the edge of Lake Hollow, at an elevation of 9250 

 feet above the level of the sea. At the age of 

 twenty or thirty years it becomes fruitful, and 

 hangs out its beautiful purple cones at the ends 

 of the slender sprays, where they swing free in the 

 breeze, and contrast delightfully with the cool green 

 foliage. They are translucent when young, and 

 their beauty is delicious. After they are fully ripe, 



STORM-BEATEN HEMLOCK SPRUCE, 

 FORTY FEET HIGH. 



