Gigantic as are the trees found in many of the eastern forests of
America, they are far surpassed by groves of pines discovered a few
years back in the southern parts of California. They are found in small
groves together--in some places only three or four of the more gigantic
in size; in others, as many as thirty or forty, one vying with the other
in height and girth. In one grove, upwards of one hundred trees were
found, of great size, twenty of which were about seventy-five feet in
circumference. One of these trees, of greater size than its companions,
was sacrilegiously cut down. Its height was 302 feet, and its
circumference, at the ground, 96 feet. As it was impossible to cut it
down, it was bored off with pump-augers. This work employed five men
for twenty-two days. Even, after the stem was fairly severed from the
stump, the uprightness of the tree and breadth of its base sustained it
in its position, and two days were employed in inserting wedges and
driving them in; but at length the noble monarch of the forest was
forced to tremble, and then to fall, after braving the battle and the
breeze for nearly three thousand winters.
Many of the trees have received appropriate names. One has fallen, and
has been hollowed out by fire. Through it a person can ride on
horseback for sixty feet. Its estimated height, when standing, was 330
feet, and its circumference, 97 feet. Another of these giants is known
as Hercules. It is 320 feet high, and 95 feet in circumference.
Perhaps the most beautiful group is that of three trees known as the
Three Graces. Each of them measures 92 feet in circumference at the
base; and in height they are nearly equal, measuring 295 feet. Time was
when, perhaps, the whole forest consisted of trees of the same size; but
many have been destroyed by fire, and the time may come when none of
those now standing will remain. The name of Wellingtonia has been given
to the species.
In the same region are numerous magnificent stalactite caverns, which
equal in beauty, if not in size, those of the Mammoth Cave of Kentucky.
There are several waterfalls, unsurpassed for picturesque beauty.
Had we time, we might pay a visit also to the gold-mines of California,
and observe the way they are worked; but we should be prevented from
giving that attention to the animal creation which is our present
object.