A THOUSAND-YEAR PINE 



The oldest, largest portion of a tree 

 is the short section immediately above 

 the ground, and, as this lower section 

 is the most exposed to accidents or 

 to injuries from enemies, it generally 

 bears evidence of having suffered the 

 most. Within its scroll are usually 

 found the most extensive and inter- 

 esting autobiographical impressions. 



It is doubtful if there is any portion 

 of the earth upon which there are so 

 many deadly struggles as upon the 

 earth around the trunk of a tree. 

 Upon this small arena there are bat- 

 tles fierce and wild; here nature is 

 "red in tooth and claw." When a tree 

 is small and tender, countless insects 

 come to feed upon it. Birds come to it 

 to devour these insects. Around the 

 tree are daily almost merciless fights 

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