NATURE NOTES

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22851, 26 October 1939, Page 6 (Supplement)

NATURE NOTES

THE FIRE-FALL AT YOSEMITE VALLEY

(By L. W. McCaskill)

Probably the most unusual feature about a visit to Yosemite is the fire-fall, which has. charmed hundreds of thousands every night in summer since 1874. So far as is known a canny Scotsman was file first to think of the idea. His same was James McCauley. As mentioned in another article, Glacier Point is situated 3254 feet vertically above Camp Curry, on file floor of the valley. Away back in the 70’s, McCauley was camped one night on Glacier Point, keeping himself warm by means of a large camp-fire. The wind blew some of the embers over the cliff, the resulting display of falling fireworks being seen by a party of campers on the floor of the valliy below. His travels took him to

We spent the following night at Glacier Point, and were able to see the preparations for the ceremony. In the afternoon a guide collects a load of the thick fibrous bark of dead fir trees. ' These trees grow luxuriantly at the height of 7000 feet. About 5 o’clock the pile of bark is set alight. It burns quite slowly, so that about 9 o’clock it is just a mass of glowing embers about three feet each way. Sharp at 9 we leaned over the edge of the cliff and saw the lights 3000 feet below go out. Then came the voice,- clear and distinct, “Hello, Glacier,” our reply, and • the final instruction to “Let the fire fall.” The guide then commenced the show by pushing the embers over the precipice with a

The grates of Yosemite

Camp Curry next day. The campaers offered to pay him to return to Glacier Point that night, build a large fire, and push the glowing embers- over the edge of the cliff. He agreed to do so for five dollars. Which sum was forthcoming. He decided to stay at Yosemite that summer and extract a like amount from as many parties as he could Persuade to contribute. When McCauley died, the display was discontinued for a time, to be revived by the late David A. Curry, after whom the main camp area, _ .Camp Curry, is named. He developed the ceremony as it is performed to-day. and his stentorian voice was said to be an unforgettable part of the programme. Our first night at Yosemite was spent at Camp Curry. After the _ concert programme was completed Jfi lights in the camp were extinguished. This was a signal to those on the high cliff that all was .ready. Then one of our party <a}led out in a tremendous voice, Tfello, Glacier.” Faintly from WOO feet above came the answer, «el!o. Camp Curry.” Then our aom called. ‘‘Let the fl-i-ire' fa-a-1-1.” “Oon a red glow became visible. ®be followed by a torrential «ream of fire that first dropped jfraifht down, and then spread out ® a curtain. It dropped 1000 feet, S® to a rock ledge. After about -ffttr minutes there came a final '»®st of flame as the last of the fire 'jW bushed over the edge of the 2*5 to drift down slowly and die Wt almost reluctantly.

long-handled rake. Leaning far over the edge, we could see them fall their 1000 feet in a vivid ribbon of fire, settle harmlessly on the’ ledge of granite, and die their reluctant death.

Note. —This is the last of the articles Mr McCaskill sent from America. They have appeared in “The Press Junior” each week since August. 31 last.

The Wild Flower’s Song

As I wander’d the forest, The green leaves among, I heard a Wild Flower Singing a song.

“I slept in the earth In the silent night, I murmur’d my fears And I felt delight.

"In the morning I went, As rosy as morn. To seek for new joy, But I met with scorn.” —WILLIAM BLAKE.

The Anemone

The lily mentioned in the Bible is really an anemone. Scarlet carpets of anemones grew beside railway lines and in the plains of the Holy Land. White and purple patches abound In the open bushes near Acre 'and Haifa.

Ankara

Ankara, or Angora, has been the capital city of Turkey since 1923. In Asia Minor, it stands on the Angora river, about 220 miles from Istanbul, and is a terminus of q branch of the Anatolian railway. Here, in 1910, Mustapha Kemal set up a nationalist government. The buildings Include mosques, and the newer ones-erected for government purposes Include the Parliament House. Great improvements were put in hand after 1919, and the city has modern systems ot drainage and water supply, and is furnished with electric light. It has a wireless station, and a teiephone service, and industries, such as sawmills and flourmills, have been started. It was an important town on the caravan rout© _ in former time&

Omsk

Omsk is a town of Russia in the Siberian area, about 265 miles north east of Akmolinsk, and stands at the junction of the Om and Irtish rivers on the Trans-Siberian railway. Omsk is a picturesque Asiatic town and has become the most important centre of Western Siberia, with many modern buildings and scientific institutions. Agricultural machinery is manufactured as well as cloth and spirits. There is a large trade in meat; dairy products, and skins. The town wds founded in 1716.

Paradise

Paradise is a Persian word used by the translators of the Old Testament to designate the Garden of Eden, and since meaning any place of happiness.