16 BIG TREES OF CALIFORNIA. 



These measurements will have a new value when it is remembered 

 that they are now nearl}^ 40 years old — old enough to make remeasure- 

 ment very interesting for comparison. 



STANISLAUS OK " SOUTH CALAVERAS " GROVE. 



This grove contains 1,380 Big Trees, ranging in diameter from 1 foot 

 to 34 feet. 



Mr. Hutchings describes the trees of note in this grove as follows: 



The large numbe^^ of these immense trees, from 30 feet to over 100 feet in circum- 

 ference, at the gromid, and in almost every position and condition, would become 

 almost bewildering were I to present in detail each and every one; a few notable 

 examples, therefore, will suffice as representatives of the whole. (See PI. V.) 



The first Big Tree that attracts our attention, and which is seen from the ridge 

 north of the Stanislaus River, is the "Columbus," a magnificent specimen, with 

 three main divisions in its branches, and standing alone. Passing this we soon enter 

 the lower end of the South Grove ^ and arrive at the "New York," 104 feet in cir- 

 cumference, and over 300 feet in height. Near to this is the " Correspondent," a tree 

 of stately proportions, named in honor of the " Knights of the Quill." The "Ohio" 

 measures 103 feet in circumference, and is 311 feet in height. The "Massachusetts" 

 is 98 feet, with an altitude of 307. 



Near to a large black stump, above this, stands a tree that is 76 feet in circumfer- 

 ence, that has been struck by lightning, 170 feet from its base; where its toj:* was 

 sliivered into fragments, and hurled in all directions for over 100 feet from the tree; 

 the main stem being rent from top to bottom, the apex of this dismantled trunk 

 being 12 feet in diameter. The "Grand Hotel" is burned out so badly that nothing 

 but a mere living shell is left. This will hold 40 persons. Then comes the "Canal 

 Boat;" which, as its name implies, is a jirostrate tree; the upper side and heart of 

 which liave been burned away, so that the remaining portion resembles a huge boat; 

 in the bottom of whicli thousands of young Big Trees have started out in life; and, if 

 no accident befalls them, in a thousand or two years hence, they may be respectable- 

 sized trees, that can Avorthily take the places of the representatives of this noble genus, 

 and, like these, challenge the admiring awe of intellectual giants of that day and age. 

 (See PI. V, fig. J.) 



"Noah's Ark" was another prostrate shell that was hollow for 150 feet; through 

 which, for 60 feet, three horsemen could ride abreast; but the snows of recent winters 

 have Ijroken in its roof, and blocked all further passage down it. Next comes the 

 "Tree of Refuge," where, during one severe winter, 16 cattle took shelter; but sub- 

 sequently perished from starvation. They found protection from the storm, but their 

 bleaching bones told the sad tale of their sufferings and death from lack of food. 

 Near to tliis lies "Old Goliath," the largest decumbent tree in the grove; whose cir- 

 cumference was over 100 feet, and, when erect, was of proportionate height to the 

 tallest. During the gale that prostrated "Hercules," in the Calaveras Grove, this 

 grand old tree had also to succumb. One of his stalwart limbs was 11 feet in 

 diameter. 



SMITH'S CABIN. 



There is another notable specimen, which somewhat forms a sequel to the above, 

 known as Smith's Cabin, on account of its having been the chosen residence of a 

 trapper and old mountaineer named A. J. Smith — Andrew Jackson Smith — who made 

 the charred hollow of this burnt-out tree hi lonely home for three years. (See PL 

 VI. ) There is no telling what these old denizens of the mountains can or will do when 

 they have made up their minds to anything. The diameter of his cabin — which was 

 to him a bedroom, sitting room, kitchen, and sometimes, during stormy weather, a 

 stable for his horse — was 21 feet by 16. * * ^ On one occasion a regular "south- 

 easter" was on the rampage, hurling down trees, twisting off branches, tossing about 

 tree tops, and limbs, in all directions. As the old trapper dare not venture out, he sat 

 listening, with unquestionable interest, to ascertain whether the wind or "Smith's 

 Cabin" was becoming the better w^restler of the two. At this juncture an earth- 

 trembling crash came with nerve-testing force, that made his hair stand on end, when 

 he jumped to his feet, using certain emphatic words (the synonyms of which can be 

 found in "holy writ," or elsewhere), thinking, as he afterwards expressed it, "that it 



^ So called by many from its position immediately southeast of the Calaveras Grove, 

 which is often called "North Grove." 



