FOSSIL FLORA. 759 



One of the largest and best-preserved trees stands at the very summit 

 of the slope. It is 26£ feet in circumference without the bark, and rises 

 about 12 feet in height, The portion of this huge trunk preserved is the 

 base, and below ground it becomes somewhat enlarged and passes into 

 the roots, which are as large as the trunks of ordinary trees. The roots 

 are embedded in the solid rock, as shown in the figure (see PI. CIV). 



This trunk is a true Sequoia, and is so closely allied to the modern 

 redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) of California as to be hardly distinguishable 

 from it. It would be interesting to learn the height this tree attained, but 

 it seems safe to assume, from what we know of its living- representative, 

 that it must have been more than a hundred feet high. 



Just below the large trunk, on the steep hillside, are two more stand- 

 ing trees (see PL CVI), which we may imagine to have formed the doorposts 

 of the "ancient temple" of which Holmes speaks. They stand about 20 

 feet apart and rise about 25 feet in height. They are both about 2 feet in 

 diameter and are also without the bark. 



In other parts of the area there are standing trees which attain a 

 height of 12 to 20 feet They are all under 2 feet in diameter. In a few 

 cases the bark is also preserved. It is hardly ever more than 3 inches in 

 thickness. 



Scattered about over the area are a great many trunks that rise only a 

 few inches above the surface. These vary in diameter from 2 to 5 feet. 

 They are often hollow in the center and have the cavity lined with brilliant 

 amethyst crystals. 



One of the larger trees appears to have been prostrated before it was 

 fossilized (see PI. CVIII). It is about 4 feet in diameter and is exposed for 

 a length of 40 feet. There is nothing to indicate the portion of the trunk 

 in its relation to roots and branches, but neither shows on the exposed part. 

 There is no appreciable diminution in diameter, and consequently it must 

 have been a very tall trunk. 



The matrix about the bases of these trees, as well as those in the Fossil 

 Forest, contains numerous impressions of leaves, branches, and fruits. In 

 the Fossil Forest there are at least 6 horizons at which plant remains occur. 

 These are separated by a few inches, or in some cases by many feet. In 

 the forest last described, which may be called the Junction Butte Forest, 

 there are only 2 or 3 plant horizons. 



