THE YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK 39 



Nature has on show in the Yellowstone Park. 

 Therefore it is called Wonderland, and thousands 

 of tourists and travelers stream into it every sum- 

 mer, and wander about in it enchanted. 



Fortunately, almost as soon as it was discov- 

 ered it was dedicated and set apart for the bene- 

 fit of the people, a piece of legislation that shines 

 benignly amid the common dust-and-ashes history 

 of the public domain, for which the world must 

 thank Professor Hayden above all others ; for he 

 led the first scientific exploring party into it, de- 

 scribed it, and with admirable enthusiasm urged 

 Congress to preserve it. As delineated in the 

 year 1872, the park contained about 3344 square 

 miles. On March 30, 1891 it was to all intents 

 and purposes enlarged by the Yellowstone Na- 

 tional Park Timber Reserve, and in December, 

 1897, by the Teton Forest Reserve ; thus nearly 

 doubling its original area, and extending the 

 southern boundary far enough to take in the 

 sublime Teton range and the famous pasture-lands 

 of the big Rocky Mountain game animals. The 

 withdrawal of this large tract from the public 

 domain did no harm to any one ; for its height, 

 6000 to over 13,000 feet above the sea, and its 

 thick mantle of volcanic rocks, prevent its ever 

 being available for agriculture or mining, while 

 on the other hand its geographical position, re- 

 viving climate, and wonderful scenery combine 

 to make it a grand health, pleasure, and study 



