The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1875-04-15
The Petriiied Forest Of California.

AMONG California's most notable Won
ders may be mentioned the petrifed
forest, situated in the most romantic
scenery OF mountain wilds, about half
way between two celebrated summer re-
sorts, Mark West Springs, in Sonoma
County, and Calistoga Springs, in Napa
County. In speaking of these wonder
full specimens of petrified wood we fain
would connect them with some mysteIi-
Gus designs of nature for what purpose
is left with man to conjecture. Here in
a mountainous region, wild and weird,
With rugged bluffs of volcanic forma-
ton, separated by deep and gloomy can
ons studded with q dense foliage of
modern growth, the tourist pursues his
uneven way among the cver-varyinga and
romantic scenes of a winding road, cut
in the steep and rocky side of high
mountains, between which Mark West
Creek winds its way, splashing and tum-
bling over and around the rugged edge
of some immense bowlder that has in
times past occupied more elevated
position on the mountain side.
Arriving at the forest, one is surprised
at its quiet, or rather spell bound, ap-
pearance. We enter feeling as if we
were treading the cemetery of an ante
diiuvian forest, whose stateliest trees
were embalmed to last forever, while
those of smaller growth were allowed to
mix again with mother earth and lose
their identity. What at a little distance
is seemingly tree stump proves on ex-
animation to be a broken section of the
body OF some PROSTATE pine petrifed
Every circle or years growth is easily
discernible, so that the exact duration of
the trees existence may be determined.
Next we view the partially-excayated
trunk of a large pine, lying in an in
clined position. Here we see a mass of
solid stone in the form of a fallen tree
some seven feet in diameter-every fis-
sure in the bark and knot plainly indi-
Gated, as in that of tree fallen by the
woodlands ak, while around, thickly
strewn upon the ground, are numerous
fragments, similar to the chips and
broken pieces of wood that are scattered
by the wood-cutter in preparing tree to
be cut into logs for the mill Striking
the stony mass before us with piece of
petrlfied wood it gives back a metallic
sound very different from the
dull thud produced by striking
I0ck against a wooden log So
are to be. seen many smaller trees, as
we cali these peculiar rocks, VARYING
only in size and length, all, however,
having the same incline and same general
position, viz: north and south. Occa-
sionaily popularity is noticeable, such
as being divided into sections of various
lengths, ranging from three to seven
feet; yet so slight are the assures that
separate these sections that at very
short distance they have the appearance
of being one solid log. Another pecul-
iarity in one tree is its color, while The
general color of the stone logs is a gray
ish white. This tree is to all appeal
ances a tree of stone-coal, and the pro
prietor assures US that it burns equal
to the best quality of that article The
largest of these wonders as found so far
measures eleven feet in diameter, and is
cxcavated to view for distance of sixty
eight feet, though doubtless it penetrates
the hillside many feet further. The
space within the Enclosure is cleared of
underbrush, and contains very manv
beautiful shade trees of living oak, young
pines, manzanita (now in full bloom),
the madrona, and several other varieties
peculiar to this locality. Here, indeed,
is field for the geologist; not only in
this particular place, but the whole range
of mountains offers many attractive sub
jects for analysis.-San Francisco Chron-
icle