TO YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK. 131 
was from the “Architectural” Geyser. The discharge took place in the evening, and was repeated 
again in the morning, lasting each time about 45 minutes. There was no single stream thrown to 
a great height; but a continued, confused mass of jets was thrown in all directions, with occasional 
spirts, to a height of 30 or 40 fect. From its very irregularity, it seemed to us one of the most 
attractive of the sinall geysers. The various other interesting points in the basin, the “Mud 
Putts,” “ Paint Pots,” ete., were duly examined, but do not need special mention here. 
We arrived at the Upper Geyser Basin August 21, and remained there until the morning of 
August 24, or about 60 hours. Our note-book gives the following facts in regard to the eruptions 
of the more important geysers: 
Old Faithful, the guardian of the valley, showed a very high degree of regularity during the 
whole period of our stay. The interval between the commencement of the discharges was 65 or 
66 minutes; and, as timed by us for nearly 24 successive eruptions, varied very slightly from this 
interval. The eruptions were of a very uniform character, differing but slightly in manner or dura- 
tion (about three minutes) or in the amount of water thrown out. During the night, we were 
roused each hour by the first rush of the water and steam, and certainly nothing could be more 
beautiful than this grand fountain in action, illuminated by the light of the full moon. The 
average height of the column of water, as determined by Mr. Wood, was 115 feet. 
The solid portion of the geyser, that is, its ornamented crater, has been much injured by the 
depredations of selfish visitors, who do not realize that the injury to the crater done by them in a 
few minutes can never be repaired. One of the most interesting features of this geyser, to one 
who has recently visited the Mammoth Springs, is the great similarity between the step or basin 
formation bere and that of the caleareous springs, the same cause working here, but under quite 
different conditions. 
Bee Hive.—Our camp was situated in a grove of trees on the Fire Hole River, just opposite the 
Bee Hive Geyser, so that we were able to observe it under very favorable circumstances. During 
a period of 60 hours, there were three eruptions; the interval between the first and second being 
26 hours, and that between the secoud and third 25 hours. ‘The duration of the action was four 
or five minutes, and the measured height 200 feet. The amount of water ejected is comparatively 
very small; the apparent discharge being greater than the real. This discharge consists largely 
of steam, which is swayed in one direction aud another by the wind; the gracefully-waving column 
of steam and water producing a beautiful effect. Its charms are cousiderably enhanced when the 
sun strikes the jet so as to produce a rainbow near the top of thecolumn. ‘This geyser has a crater 
alone; there being no step formation at its foot in consequence of the small amount of water which 
it throws out. The force of the escaping steam and water is very great, and seems almost to shake 
the crust in the vicinity. A little attendant geyser at the foot of the Bee Hive acts as a sort of 
forerunner to it, giving notice by its little stream when its larger companion is about to move. 
Grand Geyser—We were fortunate enough to see one very fine display of the action of this 
geyser. It is especially impressive, because of the absence of any elevated crater; the water rising 
from the very level of the ground. The height of the first discharge did not much exceed 100 feet. 
It rose to this point in a series of violent pulsations, remained at this altitude for three or four 
minutes, and then sank back into the pool, which became quite still. A moment later it had com- 
menced again, the water rising certainly 150 feet by estimate. This again sank down and agaiu 
rose to its maximum height, and this was twice repeated. 
Giantess.—The accounts of the eruptions of the Giantess have been so glowing that we were 
especially anxious to have an opportunity of observing it ourselves. When we arrived, August 
21, the crater was quite full and bubbling, seeming to promise a speedy eruption. The following 
day at 6.30 a. m., it boiled up vigorously, throwing up jets a few feet into the air, exciting hopes 
that it was about to perform, and bringing those who were in camp somewhat hastily across the 
stream. At 9o’clock it boiled up again, at times throwing out considerable water, so that it was 
nearly empty as far as we could see, looking far down into the crater. It rapidly filled, however, 
and a second outburst on a small scale took place. Two hours later a more vigorous display 
commenced, the hot water being thrown to a height of 100 feet, by a series of successive irregular 
throbs, like the beats of a pump; the heavy thumping going on below in a startling manner. This 
irregular display, extremely interesting and beautiful, yet nothing compared with what the Giantess 
