The Hawaiian gazette., 1871-10-04
IFrOa Oar Regular cosre.pcnaentl
California Correspondence.
ruE pls rRErs or CALIFORNIA.

NAtNN NASN- ~ - " uC pcCtcu Aull Nucro Is \
lingering doubt in the minds Of many who nave
heard Of them whether the stories are not 10 be
sot down among the travellers tales that are
to be received with very liberal allowance for
eSaggeratiOn. But year by year the number is
Increasing Of those who can bear personal tssti-
mOuy. and perhaps a weight Of evidence will at
length be accumulated sufficient to convince the
most incredulous. 1t may interest your readers
TO receive brief account Of visit TO one OF the
raunuus groves, together with statement OF lacts
concerning the trees. derived from authentic
sources. California is privileged to claim mo-
nopoly Of this wonder Of the vegetable world.
no specimen having vet been found outsido Of
the State The Big Tree belongs to the sane
| genus with the well-known redwood. but forsas
peculiar species called by bO,anists .Ssgaofd a.
g,U,ieg The redwood, according to Professor
Whitney. of the State Survey. to whom we are
indebted for many OF these general iacis.) forms
belt along Coast Ranges through six degrees Of
latitude. Some specimens have been found
fairly nvaling in size their more famous kindred.
In grove near Santa Cruz. there is a redwood
50 feet in circumference and 275 feet high-a
very respectable saping. The Big Tree Is found
inland, and at any elevation OF between 5000
and 1000 feet above the sea- There are eight
groves already known, and it is altogether proba-
bic that more exist, for there is considerable
region favorable to the growth of the tree which
has never been explored. The Calaveras Grove
is the one most frequently visited. 1t has the
advantage Of being within twenty-iOur hours
journey Of San Francisco. and presents as fine
specimens Of the tree as are anywhere TO be
found although the grove itself is much exceeded
in size by several others The MaripOsa Grove
is one Of the finest. One Of the most popular
routes to the Yosemite Valley brings the traveller
within six miles Of it. Here is found the famous
Grizzly Giant which is, perhaps, in diameter,
the largest standing tree among all yet discov-
cred. The circumference at the ground is ninety
one and half feet Originally il measured one
hundred feet, but part has been burned away
fires at various times having wrought great havoc
in this grove II is impossible By statements Of
figures to convey an idea of the size Of these
mOuster-prOducts of the vegetable kingdom.
And even when standing among them, the mag
nitude IS not realized The difficulty comes in
part from the absence Of any means Of eompari-
500. The trees do noR stand in groups By them
selves, bat are scattered about among trees Of
other kinds. some Of Whieh-as-t the sugar-pines-
almost equal them in height Then, too, the
symmetrical form makes the size less impressive.
1t is necessary. in order to gain any fair appreci
alton, that the visitor should stay for time
among them. and view them on Successive days.
He mast walk around then, lie down under
them, measure with his steps the length Of the
PROSTATE trunks, and BY degrees the mind will
tase in the greatness. A few figures and other
facts may, however. Be Of interest The tallest
tree in the CaIaveras Grove Is 325 feet in height
Let any one compare this with the highest
steeple or tree Of which the dimensions are
known Or measure of string 90 feet in
length, and by it down 20 As to form circle, and
thea Try to imagine the iuelOsed space filed up
With tower CT living wood. The cutting down
Of one tree occupied FIVE men twenty-five days.
PamPaagsrs were used for making the cut, bat
when completely severed the mighty trunk stood
upright. and tie labor Of two days was required
to oyerihrOE it By driving in immense wedges
Then AZ Isngth the giant form, which bad stood
IN storm and sunshine for more than thousand
ysars. zas laid PROSTATE. The stamp having
been =moothsd Of. affords space sufficient for
thirty-tEo persons to join at once in the dance,
while room remains Tor musicians and spectators
There Is prOsirzts tree, hollow from end TO end,
throagh which person may rds on horseback
fOr distance Of 20 feet. coming ont through
notch cut in the side This vas. however, sur
passed by fallen tree. once existing in The Mar
iposa Grove. through the interior Of which. for 4
considerable distance, four ms1 eoud ride abreast
Unhzppily. the large end Of this tree has been
destroyed b. fire. Nr HgiehiBs, tie uelLkaozn
YOssDits PieDesr, reports tree lying ou the
ZT0and n the Sosih Grove, through which for a
dlstAncs Of 400 feet might be driven one Of the
largest ConeOrd stages laden with passengers.
The rsader mar, f be pleasss, discount this
story iar 70 beIieye that the oaisidsrs might
have 20 stop little 70 saye their hats.
As 70 lie nanber Of trees found together in
any loeaEIty, It zay Be of interest 70 note that
the CzlsTsrzs Grove contains sbost hundred
the Nariposa. three Kindred sud sizty-a4s While
TIE 5ssth Gr0Es, Ehieh has rot Jet become .
Plaes q general TssoTt. although bat lev miles
distant from the CalaTerls, embraces more than
thirtssa hasdrsd trees, nasy of then aid 70 bs
q most nagnisesat proportions.
Tie prodact a tksss immense tres il sbssrdly
oss Il prcpoEti0s to their szs the eoss cot being
nors than an iach og Two in esgth The ed
kaz been extensively distributed, and hsndrs5s of
tbo1saads 0f tres ars HoE growing IN diEsssLt
parts q the vosid- Bst what ore q existing
nztiols m4y kope 70 Be surviving wien thsss
sssdlIazs shaH have rsaehsd the age d soas of
ths parsat trsesf A ezlcsIztios has bsss m1ds
b eoonting the fnzs q asnaal growth 10 one
WIKI zas eat dosn, frDa skieh Il appeared hat
ths tEss va !, 10 ysars od sonls yss stas5isg
ass doabtlsss aueh oder, Fr5tably dating their
aateTior 70 the Christian era Il girss,
b. eoztrzst, HsS iasPrsasi0a of tbs brsvfty of
aatio1aI 81, znd Il tie Instability d N he
vazks q @an. to eo1tsmpzts fhsss tres -