412 CORRESPONDENCE. [1855, 
having to deliver nine lectures in three weeks. We 
had arranged to have a few days at New York, in 
which I could work with Dr. Torrey; but the good 
man was called off to Washington on business just as 
I left that place, and we crossed en route, and I came 
on home in consequence. 
I am very glad Mr. Beitges was pleased with the live 
plants I sent. Please remind him that I should like 
to share in the distribution of seeds this spring. Anc 
if I find time to make out a short list, I may ask for 
some live plants again. .. . 
ave a Cereus giganteus six inches high, and I 
saw several others. They have no hair, and appear 
very unlike C. senilis. . . . 
There is an authentic account in some numbers of 
“ Silliman’s Journal” last year of the size of that 
prostrate trunk ( Wellingtonia-W ashingtonia). 
Mr. Blake, at Washington, told me something of it, 
but I forget the numbers. I will ask him, as he is a 
reliable person. But 450 feet is rather too tall. 
So they would talk about the tree that was felled 
being 3,000 years old (and took in Lindley), whereas 
it was not quite 1,300! It appears to grow much 
faster than S. sempervirens.! . . . 
1 On the 2d July, 1872, Dr. Gray saw the Calaveras and Mariposa 
groves. In the Calaveras Grove he counted, with one of his fellow- 
travelers, the rings and took measurements of the fallen tree “ Her- 
cules.” His memoranda of the size, ete., were: — 
Height when standing was 315 feet. 
A section at 21 feet from ground was 6 feet 104 inches radius, on 
the line counte 
Layers Rate of growth. 
Counted - 1,500 First century. . 10} in. radius 
Uneounted inal (est) « 30 400 years . a7} * 
centre 10|Last centary . . 383° “ 
Growth to2i feet ‘“ . 10|Last 400 years . 14% “ 
Estimated age (years) . . 1550 | 
