Arizona republican., 1909-06-11

were used as jofsts for the second. tnlrd end fourth floors, and were placcl six to eight feet apar. Laid across these are another 'set of logs several inches thick. On the top Of tld- cones another set logs seV- eral inches thick On the top of this comes a layer of bamboo. On top Of this is a layer of bark, and the whole cnveied with a laycr of cement There are a number. of raised DOT tions in the floor, presumably for sleeping purposes. The upper story Is without a roof, the oyerhanging ledge serving for that purpose. How the builders raised huge logs and other building material more tran za6 feet to the levels where they were used is a mystery. Near this ruin is evil dence of other structures that have long since fallen. How long ago Montezuma's castle was built is a matter that is purely conjectural, but it is practically certain that it was built before Columbus discovered America"
 San Francisco Peaks.
 Flagstaff and San Francisco peaks are so closely associated in the minds of Arizonans that the words are al- most synOnOmous. These majestic peaks whose summits- are clad in snows eternal are the highest points in Arizona, being over 1000 feet high. They are never seen just the same twice, and are always pleasing to the eye. In the morning they are kissed by the first beams of the rising sun, and the behOlder is charmed at the wonderful disso.ving views. as the early rays play about their sum- mits. At another time they stand out in beautiful outline against the deep blue sky. forming an ensemble of transcendent beauty. An hour later the outline may be lost by a consider enthroned in clouds.
 The trip to the summits of San Francisco peaks is not a difficult one. and the round trip may be easily made in one day The trail is generally free from snow from June until November.
 Reaching the summit we stand be- wildered at the tremendous sweep of vision as we look down into the ampitheater> of nature. The view is so overpowering, the feeling of im- mensity so all prevailing that it does not take very devout person to be involuntarily moved to sdoration for the mighty power which created such a surprising vision. As far as the eye can reach spreads out a carpet of green ard various other scolors, the patches of the carpet representing the various. phases of vegetation The eye ranges over practically all (. Arizona. and on clear days by tlse aid of glasses portions Of Colorado. Utah, Nevada, California, New Mex ico. and possibly Old Mexico. may be seen In magnificence and cir ing sweep of vision the view from San Francisco peaks is UT surpassed on the American continent. It is sonic thing no artists brush. no pen. can describe; it must ever remain in- effable in memory.
 Following the trail up the moun- tain and through the labyrinth vof peaks the botanist finds many inter esting plants from those of the tetri- perate zone to the alpine flora above the timber line. Dr. C. Hart Mer- riam, of the department of biology at Washington, in a pamphlet descrip- tive of these peaks. has stated that within a distance of twenty-five miles from the top of Mount Humpl1rles, northeasterly, may be found speci- mems Of the flora and fauna of every life zone from the Arctic to. the semi tropic He further says that there Is no other region in the world of which he has knowledge where so wide q variety, of life zones are covered within so short a. dis tance. tf .. --.-y
 We have already exceeded the space we were requested to. fill, and must therefore bring this article to a close. We have not made any. nen- tion of Grand Canyon because we wished to devote the space at our disposal to some of the numerous other points of scenic interest of this region which are little advertised, and to our incompatible climate The