The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-03-21

group Of small geysers, paint pots and
mud springs of all colors. One Is called
Petroleum." for oil is found floating
upon the formation. Another is named
the Queens Laundry" q clear spring
whose waters will almost instantly
cleanse even the dirtlest saddle blan-
ket, when placed therein. Another Is
FAIRY Greek Falls" whose waters
jump 250 feet over an adjacent cliff.
Amidst these spouting, leaping Won
ders all around, Midway Geyser Ba-
sin" is reached. point half way to
upper geyser basin. This Is also called
'Helrs Half Acre" and here are the
grandest hot springs in the world. and
Excelsior Geyser. the largest in the
world. 1t Is really water volcano. for
it's eruptions are unlike genuine gey-
ser. Here Is a vast seething cauldron
close by the brink Of the Firehold river
into which 1t pours 1000 gallons min
ute during non -eruptive periods. Its
| crater Is huge cavity measuring 200
by $50 feet, walled In by sides from 20
to so feet high. Its water Is a deep
blue tint. the surface being In constant
turmoil and the rising steam ever and
anon scalding the incautious visitor.
The equal of the overflow Of hot water
coming from this great spring. it is
INTO THE DEPTHS.
We were not so fortunate as to see
Excelsior In action. but others say it's
eruptions are simply terrifying; that 1t
throws out tons of rocks from s to 100
pounds in weight like those from an
exploding mine. The noise of its roar
can be heard for miles around. When
In action 1t throws column of water
from 20 to 75 feet in diameter 250 to 300
feet high, doubling the volume of the
water In the Flrehold river, which is
swift running hot river 100 feet wide.
While glance into this gulf causes q
shudder. it does not convey the idea
of region of torment. as does Norris
Geyser Basin, still. as the writer can
affirm. 1t Is sufficiently awe-inspiring
experience to stand at the verge of the
steaming chasm upon a hollow crust
which projects over 1t. and peer down
into the depths of the Internal regions
As dynamic agent, it has no equal in
| the park.
But situated within 800 feet of FIX
| celsior. the reverse picture Is found in
"Prismatic Lake." which Is appropri-
ately named from the brilliant tints Of
| its water. This al;e Is $50 by $50 feet
in area and the steam constantly arises
from its surface. In the center of 1t the
water IL a dark blue changing into
green towards the edge. and surround
ing the edge of the basin a yellow tint.
fading into an orange. outside of the
rim is a brilliant red deposit, which
shades into purples. browns. grays, etc.
| The depths and richness of the colors
| here cannot be exaggerated. The tenn
| perature is about LAG degree Fahren-
heit.
Just above. within 100 feet. Is another
| boiling spring with dark blue water.
called "Turquois;" it measures 100 by
100 feet and rivals Prismatic lake in the
beauty of its coloring. Near at hand
are Chalk Vats," bubbling and spurt-
ing their mushy compound. which va
| ries in color from snowy white to a
bright pink. This basin contains hun
| dreds of smaller springs. Passing on
| to Upper Geyser Basin the visitor Is
I never out Of sight Of these wonderful
| waterworks. They are located at ev-
| cry turn and add picturesqueness to the
| landscape.
BISCUIT BASIN.
| The first important feature en- route
| Is biscuit Basin" While 1t contains
but one geyser, 1t has several beautiful
springs. Sapphire Pool" is an attrac-
| ton. The formation resembles hun
dreds Of very symmetrical biscuit. The
silver Globe POOL throws up i'm
| mense bubbles like globes of silver;
the surroundings are colors Of various
hues. On the opposite cliffs are seen q
group Of hot springs, mainly iron, CIV
ing the landscape yellow hue. Next