The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1886-06-24
YEILn,ysrnNE PARK.

The reservation known as the Yellowstone |
National Park was set apart by Congress in
1872.
History fails to show wiser or moro benef-
cent measure in the interest of science and for
the benefit of the public. The land embraced
in the reservation is on account of its altitude,
unsuited for agriculture, and therefore not
wanted for settlement.
The wisdom of Congress in preserving this |
section of country for the whole people has been
fully demonstrated.
Year by year, as its attractions have become |
more widely known and the means of access
have been increased, the park has been more
and more resOrted to, not only by people of our |
own country but also by foreigners from all
parts OF the civilized globe.
The physical phenomena and beauties of Ma
ture contained within the boundaries of the
park are now recognized as among the wonders
of the world. Reliable information shows
over 1000 visitors during the past season.
1t only remains for Congress by appropriate
legislation to provide for the enforcement of
law within the park, and to furnish the means
for making all portions Of it thoroughly acces-
sible to the public, in order to complete the full
measure of the benefits of the original act of
dedication.
Not only is the park Of the utmost interest
TO the lover OF Nature and to the scientific in
quirer, but it also serves an important eco
nomic object in the preservation of the great
forests, in which, within radius of % miles,
head three of the mightiest rivers ON the Con-
tincnt--the Missouri Columbia and Colorado.
The forests play an important part in equaliz-
ing the distribution of the moisture collected
by the various streams, and have an important
| influence upon the irrigation Of the surround
ing country.
Nor is its Importance to be overlooked as
great preserve for the mammals and birds of
the country. That eminent scientist Prof.
Comstock, remarked in an article published in
| 1874, that unless prompt and vigorous meas
ures are instituted to check the slaughter now
in progress in our Western wilds, the zoologi-
cal record of to-day must rapidly pass into
the domain Of the paleontologist" 1t is
owing TO the wise provisions of the act organ
| izing the park, and the regulations made from
time to time by the Secretaries Of the Interior,
that this state Of things has not come to pass
within the region embraced by the park.
There, however, is still to be found in a rapidly
increasing number the great game Of the West.
The general features of the park are too well
known 10 need particular description. 1t is 90
miles by 50 miles in extent. A large portion con-
sists Of high pateaus, intersccted by great can
yons. Thepark was carved ont of portions Of the
Territories Of Wyoming, Montana and Idaho
Its entire area is over 6,0O0 feet in altitude
aud it is surrounded by mountains from 10000
to 1900 feet in hight These form the great
watershed of the continent. In the southern
portion of the park are situated the Red
Mountains From their SUBMITS the scope Of
vision embraces circle having a radius of $50
miles, within which 47O peaks can be distinctly
observed. In the eastern portion is the range
known as the Yellowstone or Absoroka. In the
northwestern portion stretches the Gallatin
Range. The highest peak Of this range Electric
Peak overlooks almost the entire park. These
grand mountains are capped with perpetual
snow, and their sides are covered with primeyal
forests.
Through this alpine country flows the beau
tiful Yellowstone River. 1t issues out OF the
Yellowstone Lake, one Of the objects of the
greatest interest in the park-With one excep-
ton, the highest large lake in the world. 1t is
situated almost 5000 feet above the level of the
sea, and is Is by % miles in extent, cover
ing an area Of $50 square miles. Not half a
mile distant from it, and not over 800 feet
above the level Of its surface, is the divide be-
tween the drainage Of the Atlantic and Pacific
slopes. This beautiful sheet of water is Of
{ great clearness and surrounded by snow-clad
, mountains.
One Of the first explorers of the park, on his
return, in writing his account Of the explora.
ton, said he felt confident he had seen the
i, greatest wonders on the continent, and wa:
convinced that there was not on the globe
another region where, within the same limits
Nature had crowded so much grandeur anl
c majesty with so much Of novelty and wonder
: This language is in nowise exaggerated. Say
Prof. Comstock: Hot and cold springs mud
volcanoes fumaroles, solfatoras and gcysers
rapids, waterfalls, torrents, deep-cut canyon
e and craggy peaks abound in every direction
i. lakes, gorges and cataracts surprise one almos
at every turn, and the whole is situated at :
c point where the grand Rocky Mountain system
If eliminates in knot Of peaks, inclosing tn
+ most remarkable lake basin in the world"
The geysers which are seen in the park ar
= on a scale and extent which cause those Of Ice
o land to assume an Insignificant position.
4. Some Of the geysers within the park throw
s streams of water TO the astonishing hight O
over $50 feet, while the steam emitted reache
a hight of 1000 feet. The total number O
geysers enumerated within the park is II
n Many more, however, exist which have NO
= yet received names.
= Besides, almost 5000 hot springs are known
e The geysers cover an area Of over 80 900 acre.
Ut Most Of the hot springs possess great beauty
lie and are Of surprising interest. The most ex
re tensiye are those on Gardiner River They an
&c rivaled, but not equaled, by the famous spring
- Of New Zealand. The springs on the Caroline
River are commonly known as the Mammot
- Hot Springs, and cover space of two and
half square miles The calcareous deposi
IN have built up beautiful basins. In places tn
Ii deposits assume the appearance of frozen water
IL falls ~
\, The marvellous forms, coloring aud variet
of these springs would alone amply repay
q visit 10 the park.
le A scene of different nature and even MOI
e. impressive is that of the Great Falls and Canyo
90 of the Yellowstone River. The fall is almol
400 feet, and the hight of the canyon wall al
II proaches 1000 feet. Speaking of this canyon