The Osceola times., 1882-06-10
The Yellowstone Geysers.
Nineteenth Century.

All geysers have not the same action,
and most of them, in style of action, in
the duration OF their erup.ions, and in
the intervals that elapse between them,
are apt individually TO vary. Some play
with labored pumping, others throw a
continuous stream, some wear themselves
ont in single effort, others subside only
TO recommence again repeatedly. Thus
an eruption may extend from two to
twenty minutes-the approximate time
occupied by the Grand; or even to one
hour and twenty minutes-a period that
the Giant has been timed to play
The colors that tinge the edges Of some
craters, ana stain the course of the
streams that they send forth, are inde-
scribably beautiful. The snowy white
ness of the grounding is relieved by
dainty bufs, pale pilks. and softest ecrue,
deep yellows shot with brown. orange
streaked with vermiion or strayiDg into
crimson. chocolate merging into black
and interlined with lemon-by colors, in
fact, run riot, and all elisteniDg wet be-
meath the clearest crystal water that in
the centre of the crater deepens into the
the heavenliest blue. From such bril-.
liancy it Is relief to turn toward the
sullen hills of purple pines.
Extinct domes and craters, overgrown
with hourshing trees, or mounds still
bare, and even steaming, with otherwise
only their immense size to indicate the
mighty power that formed them, are
found there, among those well known to
be still active. Many craters are sur
rounded by the skeleton trunks of trees
that they have killed, and which, under
the action Of their mineral waters, are
rapidly becoming petrifed; while in the
conflict between cesolation and verdure,
which. owing to the frequent variation OF
the centres of action, is constantly in
progress, the lowly bunch-grsss steals
ground wherever il dare draw a blade.
OF all the geysers whose eruptions we
witnessed, the Grant was, think, the
most interesting. 1t played each eve
ming at regular hour. We were thus
enabled to get comfortably into front
seats, focus our glasses, and discuss the
programme, as II were, before the per-
iormance commenced. This it did very
abruptly, although the activity displayed
by small vent hole, and the furious
bubbing in another orifice connected
with it, might be accepted as premoni-
tory symptoms. Suddenly, with single
prefactory squirt, the Grand shot a vast
stream Of water over two hundred feet
into the air. For few minutes this
pressure was maintained with unabated
vigor, then il suddenly ceased, and the
waters shrank back out of sight in the
cavernous hollow Of the crater. Mean
while the vent and cauldron were still
furiously laboring, and subterranean
thunder shook the ground on which we
stood. After a minutes cessation, the
geyser again burst forth without warning,
and with even greater violence. This
continued until nine successive pulsa-
tions had occurred. The latter efforts,
however, perceptibly diminished in
grandeur.
1t is impossible to conjure up in words
anv idea of the majestic Jury OF the scene.
The maddened rush of scalding water
bursting for a moments freedom from its
mysterious captivity, the gigantic col.
umDs of dense vapor; the clouds and
clouds. Of lace-like falling spray or dia.
mond showers, the lance-tipped water
Jets, pennoned with puffs of steam, the
wondrous effects of the evening sun on
the silver sheaf of water spears that with
lightning rapidity flashed forth and van
isheJ, broke and reformed and the rain
bow that shone through the drifting mass
of gauzy mist, battle entirely my powers
Of description. / could only gaze and
marvel