SEQUOIA WELLINGTON I A. 
V 
J 3 
Dr George Lawson, now Professor of Chemistry and Natural Science at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, in 
a paper which he read before the Edinburgh Botanical Society, in March 1854, “On the Anatomical 
Structure of Coniferae and other Gymnogens,” was the first to record 
the microscopical structure of the Wellingtonia. It does not differ 
from other Conifers. Like them, it presents a single or double row 
of discs on a radial longitudinal sebfion, ___ 
which, as well as their central dot, are some- <§) 
times elliptical, sometimes round. Pigs. 35 (§) 
and 36 shew the disposition of these discs. 
. . . <2Mg_ ©_®(o 
The discs he side by side, and do not alter¬ 
nate as in the A raucarias: they are more F ’ s ' 3C ' 
oblate than in the true Pines, and seldom occur in double rows. The structure on the transverse 
sebfion resembles very much that of Taxodmm distichum (the deciduous Cypress), although the 
reticulations are larger. Pig. 37 shews these reticulations in 
Wellingtonia. 
The timber and bark, as well as the cone, seem to be 
largely charged with a dark garnet or crimson coloured sub¬ 
stance, exuding and hardening into a consistence like gum. 
Dr Clelland, Professor of Anatomy in the University of 
Belfast, tested it, and found it entirely soluble in water ; it 
gave with protosulphate of iron a blue-black precipitate ; with 
sesquimuriate of iron, a grey precipitate ; and a precipitate 
with gelatine. It is thus a form of tannin, and may be called a sort of kino ; and the Wellingtonia may 
thus supply a valuable substitute for Oak bark. 
As already said, if the green chlorophyll be removed from the cone, a ligneous core remains, which, 
as in other Conifers, but in a more marked degree, extends unto the scales like branches, composed of 
numerous small fingers. These finally extend like two plates into the upper and under part of each scale, 
as shewn in figs. 23 and 24. This structure has a bearing upon more than one of the theories which have 
been proposed to explain the strubture of cones : some holding that the scales are converted leaves, or, 
rather, two connate leaves, or leaves applied to each other, forming the outer and inner half of the scale; 
others that the brabts are the leaves. The strubfure here shews that the former can hardly be the case. 
Not only are the scales composed of a flattened blade of ligneous tissue continuous with the axis, but 
both the outer and inner sides of the scales are merely continuous extensions of the same plate, like 
two blades in one knife. The same double layer of woody fibres can be traced in the disc of the hip of the 
Rose tree. 
Fig. 37 - 
Fig- 35- 
Geographical Distribution. —Like a great many of the trees of North-west America, the Wellingtonia 
seems to be confined to isolated patches ; and, indeed, it is a curious fabt applicable to all trees, that trees, 
as distinguished from other plants, generally have restricted ranges. 
The first place where it was found was at the spot already mentioned, called Calaveros Grove (now 
more generally known as the Mammoth Tree Grove), near the head-waters of the Stanislaus and San 
Antonio Rivers, in lat. 38° N., long. 120° io' W., and about 4590 feet above the sea-level. The number 
of trees still standing there is about 200, of which 92 are of large size. 
The next locality discovered was the Mariposa Grove, about 50 miles south-east of the Calaveros or 
Mammoth Tree Grove. It is situated on the line between Mariposa and Lresno counties, and but a few 
miles south of the trail leading from the Mariposa estate to the Yo-Semite valley. It is about 5000 feet 
above the sea, and on the western slope of a high ridge of the Sierra Nevada, from which there is a fine 
view of the desert-like plains of the San Joaquin in the distance. According to Mr Blake, the ascent to 
[ 20 ] g the 
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