The Indians have coupled with El Capitan and the South Dome one of their most pleasing legends. The former was the abode of the Semi-Deity of the Valley-- Totokonula --who supplied their earthly wants. The South Dome was the habitation of a super-natural maiden, Tesaiyac (frequently spelt Tisayac.) Each mountain received the name of the being supposed to abide there. Tesaiyac is described as a sea-nymph from the south, endowed with wings, and partially enveloped in a floating cloud. Her fine golden hair hung in long wavelets. Her eyes of heavenly blue heightened the charm of a lovely face. Totokonula became enamored of her beauty and followed her from crag to peak in vain pursuit. Without his care the inhabitants of the Valley were menanced with many dangers; the waters wasted away, the herbage withered, the leaves dropped from the oaks and the acorns ceased to grow. In their distress they vainly prayed to their infatuated guardian. Tesaiyac heard their cries and, repenting the evil she had caused them, disappeared from the South Dome forever. At that instant a severe earthquake was felt, and the South Dome was rent in twain, half of it disappeared, and the cooling waters from Lake Tenaya , which had previously emptied into the Tuolumne, filled the parched bed of the Merced, and refreshed the thirsty land. The song of babbling waters and the drooping willows' soft replies again were heard, the herbs revived, the oaks resumed their robes of green, the needed acorns reached a full fruition, and plenty filled the happy land. The night was approaching its noon, the cliffs were wrapped in darkness and the embers of the camp-fire were slowly dying away, as the old Indian added, that Tesaiyac lowered a cloud on which Totokonula mounted to the regions of the blest. The Indians aver that the little white violets, scattered through the meadow-lands, had their origin in the down from Tesaiyac's wings that the breeze wafted thither when the maiden departed.
Several theories as to the formation of the Yosemite have been advanced, and each has its partisans. It is not the province of this volume to enter into any such geological controversy, and we can only state that some urge that the Yosemite is but a fissure formed by an earthquake ; others claim that a part of the mountain chain has subsided; while still others assert that glacial-action only accounts for the formation of this curious valley. Each theory is, perhaps, correct in some features, but it is evident that ice has performed an important part.
The California Reader
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