162 GEOLOGICAL SUEVEY OF THE TEEEITORIES. . 



CHAPTER X. 



THE YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK. 



[With a map.] 



While the preceding chapters of this report were passing through the 

 press, the bill that was introduced into both Houses of Congress in De- 

 cember has become a law. It will perhaps be proper, therefore, to 

 devote a small space to a notice of this event, omitting the details until 

 the more complete history can be prepared. 



In order that the geographical locality of the reservation, containing 

 within its boundaries the wonderful falls, hot-springs, geysers, «&c., de- 

 scribed in the previous chapters of this report, may be more clearly 

 understood, I have prepared a map expressly to show the park with its 

 surroundings, on a scale of ten miles to one inch. The report of tlie 

 Committee on Public Lands, as well as the law itself, which is included 

 in this chapter, will serve to explain the map in general terms. A 

 glance at the map will show to the reader the geographical locality of 

 the most beautiful lake in the world, set like a gem among the mount- 

 ains. He will also see that the mountains that wall it in on every side 

 form one of the most remarkable water-sheds on the continent. The 

 snows that fall on the summits give origin to three of the largest rivers 

 in North America. On the north side are the sources of the Yellowstone ; 

 on the west, those of the Three Forks of the Missouri ; on the southwest 

 and south, those of the Snake Eivcr, flowing into the Columbia and 

 thence into the Pacific Ocean ; and those of Green Eiver, rushing south- 

 ward to join the great Colorado, and finally emptying into the Gulf of 

 California, while on the east are the numerous sources of Wind Eiver. 

 From any point of view which we may select to survey this remarkable 

 region, it surpasses, in many respects, any other portion of our conti- 

 nent. 



On the 18th of December, 1871, a bill was introduced into the Senate 

 of the United States by Hon. S. C. Pomeroy, to set apart a certain 

 tract of land lying near the head-w^aters of the Yellowstone Eiver 

 as a ]5ublic park. About the same time a similar bill was offered in 

 the House of Eepresentatives by Hon. William H. Claggett, Delegate 

 from Montana. After due consideration in the Committees on Public 

 Lands in both Houses, the bill was reported favorably. In the Senate 

 it was ably advocated by Messrs. Pomeroy, Edmunds, Trumbull, 

 .Anthony, and others. In the House the remarks of Hon. H. L. Dawes 

 were so clear and forcible that the bill passed at once without opposi- 

 tion. 



I have thus presented a brief history of the passage of this bill be- 

 cause I believe it will mark an era in the popular advancement of scien- 

 tific thought, not only in this country, but throughout the civilized 

 world. 



That our legislators, at a time when public opinion is so strong against 

 appropriating the public domain for any purppse however laudable, 

 should reserve, for the benefit and instruction of the people, a tract of 

 3,578 square miles, is an act that should cause universal joy throughout 

 the land. This noble deed may be regarded as a tribute from our legis- 

 lators to science, and the gratitude of the nation and of men of science 

 in all parts of the world is due them for this munificent donation. 



