FOREST 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 
