THE YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK. 155 
Finally, the liberality of Professor Pierce, the Superintendent 
of the Coast Survey, in placing at the service of the Fish Commis- 
sioner a fine steamer and every convenience for dredging during 
an entire month, leads us to indulge the hope that it may in the fu- 
ture seem necessary to the work of the Coast Survey, to make a 
map of the sea bottom within soundings. The soundings in such 
case would be better done by the dredge than the lead, as a far 
better idea of the sea bottom could thus be obtained, than by the 
slight amount of material usually brought up by the lead, and 
which is sometimes misleading. A naturalist aboard could sort 
out the animals and send them to experts for identification. Thus, 
with slight extra expense, the work already began by M. Pour- 
tales in mapping out the bottom of the Straits of Florida, could 
be extended, and our north Atlantic sea bottom would be studied 
and mapped out, and the results, while advancing sciénce, be of 
_ great practical value in navigation and the fisheries. 
‘THE YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK. 
- BY THEO. B. COMSTOCK, B.S. - 
~ 
——-+90———— 
$ II. ITS IMPROVEMENT. 
Hive shown, I trust conclusively, the value of the park from 
a scientific standpoint, we may now consider in a general manner 
the best and most advantageous methods of maintaining and util- 
izing its peculiarities. Before proceeding to the discussion of | 
_ this subject, it will: be well to state the provisions of the act 
` ot March, 1872, which relate specially to the control and improve- 
` Ment of the seas tract of land. I quote the following pas- 
sages : 
í “All persons was niant locate: or settle upon, or occupy the 
=> or any part thereof, except as hereinafter provided, shall be 
considered trespassers and removed therefrom.” 
“Said publie park shall be under the exclusive control of the 
` Secretary of the Interior, whose duty it shall be, as soon as prac- 
pable, to make and publish such rules and regulations as he may 
Ss oe far ee ee ros OF oe 
