in
length and from half a mile to a mile in width, and sunk from two
thousand to three thousand feet in perpendicular depth below the
general level of the surrounding country. The waterfalls in and
about this valley are of great beauty and variety. The Nevada and
Vernal Falls of the Merced River, which flows through the whole
length of the valley, are wonderfully grand.]

[Illustration: MIRROR LAKE, YOSEMITE VALLEY, CALIFORNIA.--Up the
canyon of the Tenaya is situated this beautiful little lake, called
"Mirror Lake," which is an expansion of the Tenaya Fork. It is
generally visited early in the morning, for the purpose of seeing
the reflection of the overhanging rock, which is known as Mount
Watkins. Mirror Lake is one of the principal points of interest
of this marvelous depression of nature.]

[Illustration: GLAZIER POINT, YOSEMITE VALLEY, CALIFORNIA.--Glazier
Point, one of the most remarkable and striking features of nature
in the world, is composed of solid rock, thirty-two hundred feet
in perpendicular height. It is reached by a trail from the floor
of the valley, and the time generally consumed is from four to six
hours. From this great point of interest, a general view of the
whole valley can be obtained, and nothing is more soul-stirring
to the beholder than to look at the great and marvelous wonders
of nature abounding in the Yosemite Valley.]

[Illustration: BIG TREE, CALIFORNIA.--The big trees of California
are known the world over and are specifically termed the _sequoia
gigantea_, and abound only in California. They occur in groves
or patches, which are scattered over limited areas. They grow to
a great height, ranging from two hundred to three hundred feet,
and attain a circumference from seventy-five to one hundred feet.
The above is a photograph of one of the trees, showing the trunk,
through which a four-horse stage coach passes. This tree measures
twenty-five feet in diameter, and it stands in the Mariposa Grove.]

[Illustration: GREAT MORMON TEMPLE, SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH.--The
Mormon religion was founded by Joseph Smith, at Manchester, New
York, in 1830, and the same year was published "The Book of Mormon,"
in which Joseph Smith was declared to be God's "Prophet." He soon
removed, with his followers, to Kirtland, Ohio, which was to be
the seat of the New Jerusalem. Several years later the Mormon band
emigrated to Missouri, and later to Salt Lake City, Utah. After the
death of Smith, Brigham Young