American Big-Game Hunting 



Across the plateau, with a very sinuous 

 course, stretches the Continental Divide, sep- 

 arating the waters of the Atlantic from those 

 of the Pacific. On the plateau on both sides 

 of this divide lie magnificent sheets of water, 

 notably the Yellowstone, Shoshone, Lewis 

 and Heart lakes, forming a most character- 

 istic feature of the country. This part of the 

 Park has been designated the " lake region." 

 Hundreds of smaller lakes and ponds occupy 

 depressions either in the ancient lava flows or 

 in basins of glacial origin. Scattered over 

 plateau and mountain are bogs, marshes, and 

 meadows in marked contrast to most of 

 the Rocky Mountain country. Innumerable 

 perennial springs reach the surface from be- 

 neath the rocks. Around the borders of these 

 lakes and ponds stretch fringes of al- 

 pine meadows, affording excellent grazing- 

 grounds. Yellowstone Lake, with a shore- 

 line of nearly 100 miles, is encircled by old 

 lake terraces and glacial benches covered 

 with bunch grass and capable of supporting 

 large herds of wild animals. To one familiar 

 with the plateau along the continental water- 

 shed it is possible to travel for miles keep- 



250 



