NOVEMBER. 525 



their base with sterns two feet high, covered with flowers and transparent 

 rose-colored floral leaves. 



Most of these grea,t trees appear to have had their tops broken by the 

 ■weight of snow which collects during winter on their terminal branches. 

 Many moreover are injured at the base by fire, ascribed to the ignorance 

 of the Indians, One of the trees was stripped of its bark, two years ago, to 

 the height of 100 feet, by some United States people; nevertheless it con- 

 tinues to live at the point, as if these monarchs of the forest were subject 

 to laws altogether peculiar to themselves. A spiral ladder has been formed 

 upon the same tree by means of steps cut into the body. 



In the holes formed by fire at the base of several of these trees whole 

 families might establish themselves. A carriage drawn by several horses 

 would run with ease along one of them which lies on the ground ; for the 

 bark is usually furrowed, so as to appear as if the trunk were formed of 

 fluted columns. Each monster has received an English name from their 

 owner, who acts as cicerone to visitors. The following is a list of the more 

 remarkable. 



The Big Tree was 95 feet English in circumference, and 300 feet high. 

 Five men were employed for Q5 days in cutting it down. Their method of 

 eff'ecting this was as follows: They first formed a circle on the circum- 

 ference at seven feet from the ground. Then by means of an enormous 

 augur a multitude of holes were formed close together so as to destroy the 

 equilibrium of the colossus, and bring it over. Its fall was attended with a 

 deafening noise as loud as the discharge of a battery of heavy artillery. 

 Three weeks were consumed in this work of Vandalism and in stripping 

 the carcase of its bark to the length of 52 feet. Its diameter, measured by 

 Mr. Brenchley at six feet from the soil, was 23 feet seven inches without 

 reckoning the bark, which was at least three feet more. A place for bowls 

 and a house have been constructed upon its fallen trunk, and the stump, 

 which has been planed, is surrounded by a summer house furnished with 

 seats where the curious may meditate upon the surrounding objects. Some 

 travellers have endeavored to determine the age of this Big 'I'ree, which 

 however notwithstanding its name is not the biggest of the group, as will 

 be seen presently, but was only the most perfect and handsomest before it 

 was upset. Having counted the number of rings on 12 inches only of the 

 radius they multiplied the sum thus obtained by the semi-diameter, and ob- 

 tained a pfoduct which led them to estimate the number of springs which 

 this noble tree has experienced at 3000. But having made no allowance 

 for the difference in the rate of growth of different rings of wood they fell 

 into a rather considerable mistake. A careful examination does not allow 

 the age of our vegetable Methuselah to have much exceeded 2000 years. 

 And when reduced to this figure its age is still respectable enough to oc- 

 cupy the mind of the philosopher with reflections upon the many revolutions 

 that have convulsed the world since the germination of our tree. 



The Miner's Cabin is 80 feet in circumference and 300 feet high. 



The three Sisters are placed so as to look as if they sprang from the 



