Some Big Things.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 29, Issue 38, 18 May 1917, Page 2

Some Big Things.

The largest and most valuable library in the world is the Bibliotheque National, in Paris, which was founded by Louis XIV. The library contains 1,400,000 volumes, 300,000 pamphlets, 175,000 manuscripts, 300,Ott) maps and charts, and 150,000 coins and medals. There are 10,000 volumes of engravings, containing 1,300,000 specimens. The portraits number about 100,000.

The largest public place of amusement in the world is the New Opera House in Paris, which covers nearly three acres of ground. Its cubic mass is over 4,000,000 ft., and it cost about 100,000,000 francs.

The greatest pyramid is that of Cheops, one of the three pyramids forming what is known as the Memphis group, situated on a plateau about 137 ft. above the Nile. .Its dimensions have been reduced by the removal of the outer portions to furnish stone for the city of Cairo. Its masonry consisted originally of 89,628,000 cubic feet, and still amounts to over 82,000,000 ft. The present vertical height is 450 ft, The total weight of the stone is estimated at 6,216,000 tons.

The largest trees in the world are the mammoth trees of California. .One .of a grove in Tulare County is 27Gft. in height, 180 ft. in circumference at the base, and 76ft, at a point 12ft. from the ground. Some of the largest that have been felled indicate an age of from 2,000 to 2,500 years.