FOEEST TREES 



thus surpassing in that dimension, at 

 least, any previously recorded measure- 

 ments of the big tree. The ages of the 

 sequoias have been more difficult to 

 determine, but it appears that in the 

 beginning they were exaggerated. The 

 mature redwood, doubtless, is apt to be 

 several centuries younger than the big 

 tree; but so excellent an authority as 

 Mr. John Muir has said of the latter 

 that " these giants under the most fa- 

 vorable conditions probably live five 

 thousand years or more, though few of 

 even the larger trees are more than 

 half as old." 



The redwoods are great lovers of 

 moisture. In the valleys and canyons 

 near the ocean they bathe in the ascend- 

 ing fog and stand dripping with con- 

 densed vapor. "We shall come upon 

 59 



