HUNDRED CORDS TO A TREE. 281 



must have been 450 feet in height when standing, and forty 

 feet in diameter. A hollow chamber or burnt cavity extends 

 through the trunk 200 feet, large enough for a person to ride 

 through on horseback, and whose upper side is wide enough for 

 a carriage to run on. Walking upon the trunk and looking 

 from its uprooted base, the mind can scarcely conceive its pro- 

 digious dimensions, while on the other hand tower its giant 

 sons and daughters, forming the most impressive scene in the 

 forest. 



But who will believe our report ? What traveller did not 

 doubt their size until, with measure in hand, he had spanned 

 these giants of the forest ? Imagine, if you can, a tree whose 

 height is 100 feet more than that of Bunker Hill Monument, 

 and, even more marvellous if possible, of one whose height was 

 more than double that of Bunker Hill Monument, and whose 

 first branch was 200 feet from the ground, and you would have 

 a correct idea of some of the largest of the big trees of Calave- 

 ras County. There are also groves of these trees in other parts 

 of California, where specimens of even larger size, it is said, 

 have been seen. In Fresno County a tree was recently taken 

 down, whose limbs, exclusive of the trunk, made more than 100 

 cords of wood, and another into whose hollow trunk two men 

 have ridden abreast on horseback. 



And who that has ever stood amidst these miracles of crea- 

 tion can fail to render reverential awe to Him who mad,e and 

 has preserved them to this time ! How appropriate the sublime 

 words of our own poet, Bryant : — 



" Father, tliy hand 

 Hath reared these venerable cohimns ; thou 

 Didst weave this verdant roof. Thou didst look down 

 Upon the naked earth, and forthwith rose 

 All these fair ranks of trees. They in thy sun 

 Budded, and shook their green leaves in the breeze, 

 And shot toward heaven. Tlie century-living crow, 

 Whose birth was in their tops, grew old and died 

 Among their branches, till at last they stood, 

 As now they stand, massy and tall and dark, 

 Fit shrine for humble worshipper to hold 

 Communion with his Maker." 



36 



