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Caire. Found a lot of good pictures of interesting scenery with Eucalyptus forests and fern forests. A Gum tree, 40 feet in diameter is considered a giant. In the afternoon, went to Zoo and found Mr. D. LeSwenf, who showed us the most curious of the birds and beasts. Lyre bird, Bower bird, Australian quail. Tapir from New Guinea, Ornighorinchus, Echnida, etc. Some fine large lions and tigers etc. Called at Cook’s and got information about New Zealand. Will require 6 or 7 weeks for trip. Got back to ship at 6:30 P.M. a little tired. Melbourne is fine town. Wide streets, well paved, good substantial buildings, people apparently healthy, good-natured. Many storied buildings, distant from port about 3 or 4 miles. December 25th Start at 6:50 A.M. for Lintd’s beyond Healsville, 2 ½ hours by rail to Healsville, 3 hours by stage to Lindts. Arrived at 2:00 P.M. A charming place in the heart of forest primeval, where trees are tallest and least changed by man. Tallest trees about 270 feet, growth arrested by parasite. Top limbs die first. 10 feet diameter uncommon. Wide spreading knotty trees amygdaloides. Fire runs to top under bark after death must be grand sight. Underbrush very rich, young gums, acacias, sassafras, pepper tree, glorious ferns, etc. Common pteris covers all ground, some 8 feet high, fine aspidium like fern with curious central fertile frond, growing in rich bottoms beneath tree ferns. Magnificent beech 5 to 6 feet diameter, small leaves like huckleberry, though true fagus. Blackwood acacia has beautiful tall stately round bole, occasionally 70 to 80 feet high, leaves silvery. The tallest amygdaline gums have brilliant silvery foliage seen against sun looking
Date Original
November 1903
Source
Original journal dimensions: 11 x 16.5 cm.
Resource Identifier
MuirReel29Journal12P46-47.tif
Publisher
Holt-Atherton Special Collections, University of the Pacific Library
Rights Management
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Keywords
John Muir, journals, drawings, writings, travel, journaling, naturalist
