ae realize the vastness and extent of nature’s variety. iS 
162 THE YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK. 
these limits for a greater period than three consecutive months. 
The most interesting localities, consequently, have been in all 
cases very hastily examined. Dr. Hayden has published topo- 
graphical maps showing the distribution of the principal geysers 
and hot springs of the upper and lower Fire Hole Basins, and of 
Shoshone Lake, to most of which he has given more or less ap- 
propriate names, but upon neither of his trips did he remain long 
enough in any one locality for extended observations. The expe 
dition of last summer* was able to devote but a portion of the 
time to the area included in the park, and the remaining parties 
have been not only quite small, but they have been much more re- 
stricted for want of time.t ‘All of the facts have been collected 
during the warmest and driest season of the year when the atmos- 
pheric precipitation is least abundant and permanent. We know 
absolutely nothing of the effects of climate upon the tempera 
periodicity, or degree of activity of the subterranean waters, d 
rectly or indirectly. - The relations, if any, existing between the- 
different craters are almost equally undetermined. Even the ; 
sources of the water supply and the nature of the heating and AS 
projecting agencies are but vaguely understood. In fact nothing 
connected with the whole subject is well ascertained and the P 4 
portunity for original investigation is almost unlimited. 
It is.also quite possible, not to say probable, that many craters 
- which have not yet been seen in action may hereafter prove to be 
among the most interesting and important geysers. Dr. Hayden 
describes, in his report for 1872, eruptions of geysers ‘which were 
not observed the previous year, while two or three which were seen 
in action in 1871 were not observed in 1872. At least two new 
ones, I have reason to-believe, were seen by myself during | oF 
summer of 1873, in the Upper Fire Hole Basin alone. Nor is h 
all, for there is little doubt that future exploration will be re 
thermal and spouting springs. Notwithstanding the extens = 
_ surveys in our Western wilds, there are many complirat p n 
- lems to solve and numerous discoveries to make ere we 
All observations should be conneeted.— Any system Ot 
Ska Wyoming expeditio ; a 
tI am aware of no case in which a any person capable of careful observation 
spent so much as nn facts from m one locality. 3 
