ACTIVITIES SI 



Natural Wonders. The formations about the Yellowstone 

 geysers and hot springs and rock and other formations in all 

 the parks and monuments possess special attractions for the 

 initial-cutting vandal and the souvenir-hunter. During the 

 tourist season an important part of the work of the rangers 

 consists in preventing depredations of this sort. Warning 

 signs and printed regulations are also used. At the more im- 

 portant monuments, custodians are on duty, with a ranger or 

 two in some instances to assist them in the summer months. 



Ruins and Historic Structures. Before coming under Gov- 

 ernment protection many of the prehistoric cliff dwellings of 

 the Southwest were being seriously injured by depredations 

 of pottery and relic hunters and persons who, from sheer 

 wantonness, injured and defaced the ruins. The ravages of 

 time and the elements were also making inroads, and an 

 unchecked deterioration was setting in. Most of these ruins 

 and structures are located in monuments, though one import- 

 ant park. Mesa Verde, is chiefly notable because of the ruins 

 it contains. The Service not only protects these places with 

 resident custodians, printed warnings, and where possible, 

 ranger patrol, but, as far as its funds will permit, performs 

 considerable work of restoration. The Tumacacori Mission, 

 for instance, a fine example of the Early Spanish mission 

 architecture, is gradually being restored to its original con- 

 dition. A rather novel expedient was adopted in the matter 

 of the protection of Inscription Rock, in the El Morro Monu- 

 ment. This rock, which bears engraved upon its face many 

 inscriptions of historic value, placed there by the early Span- 

 ish explorers, was becoming a target for the initial-carver, 

 until a thick plantation of the spiny southwestern cactus and 

 kindred plants was established around its base, creating an 

 effectual chevaux de frise which renders the rock inaccessible 

 without in any way interfering with its legitimate examina- 

 tion. An attempt is also being made, with the cooperation 

 of the Bureau of Standards of the Department of Commerce, 

 to cover the face of the rock with some transparent substance 



