154 SOAPING GEYSERS. 



took a number of experiments to ascertain the action of soap upon the 

 Avaters and to determine, if possible, those physical conditions of 

 various pools and reservoirs which permitted the hastening of an erup- 

 tion by the employment of any artificial methods. This investigation, 

 conducted from time to tiuie, as opportunity oft'ered, throughout the 

 field-season of 1885, included experiments ui)on the geysers ami hot 

 si)riugs <»f the iri)])er. Lower, and Norris geyser basins. The results 

 proved, beyond all question, that geyser-action could be forced in a 

 number of ways, but most conveniently by the application of soap. 

 The greater part of the more powerful geysers undergo no perceptible 

 change with a moderate use of soap, although several of them may, 

 under favorable i)hysical conditions, be thrown at times into violent 

 agitation. In most of the experiments, Lewis's concentrated lye, put 

 up in one-half pound cans f<n^ laundry purposes, was employed. Each 

 package furnished a- strong alkali, equivalent to several bars of soap. 

 In this form alkali is more easily handled than in bars of soap, more 

 especially where it is required to produce a viscous fluid in the larger 

 reservoirs; and, in conducting a series of experiments for comparative 

 inirposes, it seemed best, in most instances, to employ the same agent 

 to bring about the desired results. 



Old Faithful, the model geyser of the i)ark, exhibits such marked 

 regularity in its workings that attem])ts to hasten its action appear 

 futile. The interval between erui)tions is about sixty-five minutes, 

 and rarely exceeds the extreme limits of fifty-seven and seventy-two 

 minutes. After an eruption of Old Faithful, the reservoir fills up 

 gradually; the water steadily increases in temperature; .and conditions 

 favorable to another eruption arc produced under circumstances pre- 

 cisely similar to those which have brought about the displays for the 

 past eighteen years, or as far back as we have authentic records. The 

 few experiments which have been made upon Old Faithful are insuffi- 

 cient to aft'ord any results bearing on the question; but it seems proba- 

 ble that soon after the water attains the necessary temperature an 

 eruption takes place. 



Of all the powerful geysers in the park, the Bee-Hive offers the 

 most favorable conditions for producing an eruption by artificial means, 

 all the more striking because the luitural displays are so fitful that 

 they can not be predicted with any degree of certainty. Observations, 

 extending over a period of several years, have failed to determine any 

 established law of periodicity for the Bee-Hive, even for three or four 

 consecutive months, although they indicate that some relationship may 

 exist between its display and those of the famous Giantess. Frequently 

 the Bee-Hive Avill play several times a day and then beconu^ dormant, 

 showing no signs of activity for weeks and months, although the water 

 may stand above the boiling-point the greater part of the time. The 

 name Bee-Hive was suggested by the symmetry of the cone built 

 around the vent. It rises about 4 feet above the sloping mound of 



