THE NATIONAL PARKS 



533 



the tourist or the teacher who does not have access to large collections 

 neither the government nor the scientific societies have offered any 

 assistance in his search for information. The publications either are 

 not generally available or are so voluminous and technical that the gen- 

 eral reader is repelled rather than encouraged to seek information. 



During the season of 1911 over 90,000 persons visited the national 

 parks, not including the visitors to the Hot Springs of Arkansas. The 

 majority of these tourists are intelligent and educated people anxious 

 to learn something about the causes underlying the wonders they are 

 witnessing. Every one who has seen the beautiful and brilliant pools 



Photograph by Asahel Curtis. 

 Paradise Park and Mount Rainier. 



in the Yellowstone Park is at least curious to know the cause of the 

 harmonious and delicate coloring. The guides and stage drivers gen- 

 erally state that the colors are due to mineral matter, and as most 

 people usually associate color with mineral the tourist goes home fully 

 •convinced, when as a matter of fact the color in the pools is due to the 

 growth of algse, as has been conclusively shown by Mr. Hague and 

 Mr. Weed. 



The officers of the Department of the Interior, which has charge of 

 the national parks, have reached the conclusion that a series of short 

 scientific publications on the parks will not only add to the pleasure of 



