The Arizona champion., 1884-03-22
A National Park for Arizona.

National Park for Arizona.
 Along the line of the Atlantic and Pacific, in the vicinity of Holbrook, exists what IS probably the most ex tcnsive and magnificent collections of petrifactions in the world. For count less ages the silent and mysterious agents of nature have been at work in thislaboratory, transforming the cedar, the pine, the pinyon, the oak and shrubbery of the region into many GU, rious hued crystals, which, while gilt tering with the briliancy of diamonds still retain the delicate tissue and eel. lular structure of the wood. Here, over an area of nearly thirty miles square. in every form, from the tiny shoot of few years growth to the stalwart oak that has only given way to the storms and ravages of time, lies thickly strewn the component parts of primevil forest. In it's every detail natures art IS visible, and the feeling akin to sorrow which first en- ters the breast on beholding what ap- pears to be an immense forest pros trated and blackened by a sudden blight, yields last to admiration on closer acquaintance with the surround ings. Lying where it has flllen or where 1t has been washed ashore. and stranded, before assuming its present form, on the banks of what, during the greater part of the year, are dry arroyoS, each petrefaction possesses beauties which would entitle it to an honored place in any museum. In many of the larger ones are preserved all the colors of the rainbow, in reg. ular and distinctly defined layers. Beneath the outer covering of dark crystals, which remains to represent with life like accuracy, the bark, ap- pears often circle of red, then of dark blue, then of brown, then of white, and occasionally green-pro- ducing an effect which is strikingly beautiful. In many places are to be seen the traces of the rude stone axe of some long forgotten woodsman who little thought as he worked that long after he and his people had joined the ''mi9hty caravan oi the dead," men of another race and age would stand and while regarding his handiwork. cease for a moment to speculate in financial dispositions, and give a thought to the insignifcance of men, their votarleS and their failures. But while such thoughts may suffice to stay the hands of many, the Vandal re- gards 1t not, and to gratify indecent selflshness avails himself of every op portunity to break and ruin the finest trees for such specimens, and accumu- lates such a store that he is forced to abandon them from sheer necessity before leaving the forest. Although but a little over year has elapsed since the railroad entered the vicinity already on every hand such vandal. ism IS painfully apparent, and unless either the General Government or the Territory interieres and assumes a guardianship over 1t, but very short time will elapse before the ruin of one of the grandest natural Curiosilies oI the Southwest IS Complete.-Miner.
 The above from our cotemporary is a commendable suggestion ard touches upon subject that should command the universal interest of oul people. The petrifed forest IS one o the natural wonders of the continent and during the year past was visited by hundreds ot tourists and sight seers. It IS safe to say that each visi tor took away as many rare specimen. as it was possible for them to carr, as souyenoirs of their visit. It is also safe to state that the number of visi tors will be more than doubled the coming year, and that in the great Yankee characteristic of relic hunt. ing they will not differ from the throng preceding them. Thus little by little the entire petrifed forest will be cull. ed of its brightest treasures, and final. ly lost to the country. The country covered by this petrified forest is no, agricultural or grazing land. It is simply one of natures curiosity shops or museums, and as such should be preserved by the Government.
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