The Carlisle independent., 1909-12-23

A high, with girth exceeding 50 feet, and numberless oth- CTS of the same species, but of small CT size. Other famous groves are the Calaveras, South Park, Tuolumne. Fresno. Gen. Grant. National park and Tule river groves.
 The Calaveras grove was discov- cred in 1853, and was first described in the Gardeners Chronicle" pub | lished in London. AS the Big Trees of the Sierras were supposed to be- long to a new genus of conifers, a pro- lessor in the University of London made haste to christen this genus "Wellingtonia," species "Gigantea. !" Soon afterward it was proven that the giant trees of the mountains belonged to the same genus as those of the Coast range, already named the Se- quoia Sempervirens, and this gener- ic name finally prevailed, writes John L. Cowan in Illustrated Sunday Mag azine. It is worth noting that this nomenclature immortalizes a Chero- kee Indian of mixed blood, named Se- quoyah, also called by the English name John Guess, who devised an al- phabet for his people, and first re- duced their language to printed form He was a native of Alabama, but was exiled to New Mexico. where he died in 1S43. His achievement marks him as one of the greatest of American Indians, so that it is not inappropriate that his name is perpetuated in that of the greatest of American trees.
 On account of its accessibility, the Mariposa grove is the one most fre- quently visited For 40 years it has attracted tree lovers and sight-seers
 Most of the very large trees in the grove have been given the names of states. cities, prominent men, or more or less fanciful appellations, such as the Four Guardsmen," the Pillar of the Temple" and "Felice" (the last 394 feet high.)
 The real King of the Forest is the tree in tEe Mariposa Grove known as the Grizzly Giant" This is 104 feet in circumference at the ground and 2S5 feet high. Five feet above the ground it is 90 feet in circumf mference. It takes g men with outstretched arms, and finger tips barely touching. to enciTcle it. It is claimed that six men can ride around this tree on horseback. keeping equally distant from each other, and that not one can see another The first limbs are 100 feet from the ground One of these is more than 20 feet in circumference. or nearly seven feet through-large | enough itself to be counted a great | tree anywhere but in California. Many other limbs are from two to five feet fin diameter. so that 1t has been said that if the limbs were all cut from the Grizzly Giant and placed upright in the ground. they would make a very | respectable grove of really "big trees" themselves. Its age has been various ly estimated at from 5000 to 5000 years; and John Muir once said that l this is the only sequoia he ever saw that appeared to have reached the zenith of its growth. Considering its height, sirth. age and awe-inspiring appearance. this venerable tree may doubtless be pronounced the grandest tree in the world There are others | that are higher. and there are many | that are larger in circumference: but perhaps there are none that embrace
 so many elements of tree-greatness.
 The Fallen Monarch" is a grea
 tree in the lower grove that has beer | lying upon the ground for generation
 but is still untouched by decay. 1 | roadway has been built that makes i
 coach up on the trunk. traversing it
 entire length to the wide-spreadin
 roots: and score or more of mount