. The falls of Niagara . d in view of its gigantic and impressivescenery we cannot but marvel at its size — a mere cupor trough in the midst of one of the sublimest ofgeological formations. This tiny strip of wonder-landis, as we have seen, only eight miles long and less thanthree-quarters of a mile average width. Beginning at the south-westerly end of the valley wefirst reach, in ascending it, the Bridal Veil, formed by oneof the torrents that feed the Merced River. It is i,000feet in height, the body of water not being large, butsufficient to produce the most picturesque effect. As itis sway
. The falls of Niagara . d in view of its gigantic and impressivescenery we cannot but marvel at its size — a mere cupor trough in the midst of one of the sublimest ofgeological formations. This tiny strip of wonder-landis, as we have seen, only eight miles long and less thanthree-quarters of a mile average width. Beginning at the south-westerly end of the valley wefirst reach, in ascending it, the Bridal Veil, formed by oneof the torrents that feed the Merced River. It is i,000feet in height, the body of water not being large, butsufficient to produce the most picturesque effect. As itis swayed backward and forward by the force of thewind, it seems to flutter like a white veil. Near the head of the valley, where it turns sharplytoward the west, we have before us the Yosemite Fall. From the edge of the cliff to the bottom of the valley theperpendicular distance is, in round numbers, 2,550 fall is not one perpendicular sheet. There is first avertical descent of 1,500 feet, when the v/ater strikes on. Opposite page 166. Bridal Veil Fall. OTHER FAMOUS CATARACTS. l6j what seems to be a projecting ledge, but which is inreality a sheli or recess about a third of a mile back fromthe front of the lower portion of the cliff. Across thisshelf the water rushes downward in a foaming torrent ona slope, equal to a perpendicular height of 626 feet, whenit makes a final plunge of about 400 feet on to a low talusof rock at the foot of the precipice. As these variousfalls are in one vertical plane, the effect of the wholefrom the opposite side of the valley is nearly as grand,and perhaps even more picturesque, than it would beif the descent was made in one sheet from the top tothe bottom. The mass of water in the 1,500 feet fallis too great to allow of its being entirely broken upinto spray, but it widens very much as it descends,and as the sheet vibrates backward and forward withthe varying pressure of the wind, which acts withimmense force on this long column of water, t
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