THE MAMMOTH GEOVE. 143 



about three hundred feet high, and sixty feet in circum- 

 ference. The next tree is the " Mother of the v Forest," pre- 

 sently to be mentioned as having- been stripped of its bark 

 by speculators in 1854. We are now amidst the "Family 

 Group," and standing near the uprooted base of the 

 " Father of the Forest." This scene is grand and beauti- 

 ful beyond description. The venerable " Father " has 

 long since bowed his head in the dust ; yet how stupend- 

 ous even in his ruins! He measures one hundred and 

 twelve feet in circumference at the base, and can be traced 

 three hundred feet, where the trunk was broken by falling 

 against another tree. A hollow chamber, or burnt cavity, 

 extends through the trunk two hundred feet, large enough 

 for a person to ride through. Near its base is a spring 

 of water. Walking upon the trunk, and looking from its 

 uprooted base, the mind can scarcely conceive its pro- 

 digious dimensions, while on either hand tower his giant 

 sons and daughters. Passing onward, we meet with the 

 " Husband and Wife," leaning affectionately towards one 

 another ; they are each sixty feet in circumference, and 

 two hundred and fifty feet in height. " Hercules/' one of 

 the most gigantic specimens in the forest, stands leaning 

 in our path. This tree, like many others, has been burnt 

 at the base ; it is three hundred and twenty-five feet high, 

 and ninety-seven feet in circumference. The " Hermit,'' 

 rising solitary and alone, is next observed. This tree, 

 straight and well-proportioned, measures three hundred 

 and twenty feet high, and sixty feet in circumference. 

 Still returning towards the hotel by the lower trail, we 



