74 



MAMMOTH TREES AND CAVERNS OF CALAVERAS. 



Many of the trees have received appropriate names. One 

 has fallen, and has been hollowed out by fire. Through it a 



person can ride on horse- 

 back for sixty feet. Its es- 

 timated height, when stand- 

 ing, was 330 feet, and its 

 circumference, 97 feet. An- 

 other of these giants is 

 known as Hercules. It is 

 320 feet high, and 95 feet 

 in circumference. Perhaps 

 the most beautiful group is 

 that of three trees known as 

 the Three Graces. Each of 

 them measures 92 feet in 

 circumference at the base ; 

 and in height they are 

 nearly equal, measuring 295 

 feet. Time was when, per- 

 haps, the whole forest con- 

 sisted of trees of the same 

 size ; but many have been 

 destroyed by fire, and the 

 time may come when none 

 of those now standing will 

 remain. The name of Well- 

 ingtonia has been given to 

 the species. 



In the same region are 

 numerous magnificent stalactite caverns, which equal in beauty, 

 if not in size, those of the Mammoth Cave of Kentucky. 



MAMMOTH TREE OF CALIFORNIA. 



