115 



its area is moiiutaiuous. The principal ranges are the Wind River, at 

 the northeast, and the Teton, Snake River, Salt River, and Bear River 

 ranges along the west line. The county has some fertile valleys, and 

 is well watered by numerous small streams flowing from the mountains. 



The forest area is large, but the timber is inferior in size and quality. 

 White and Lodge pole Pine are the predominant species. They grow 

 tall and slender, the trunks of the largest trees rarely exceeding 15 

 inches in diameter. A scattering growth of Red Cedar appears upon 

 many of the low hills. 



Lumber and charcoal are manufactured here to some extent. Large 

 deposits of mineral coal are being worked in the southern part of the 

 county. 



YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK. 



(Total area, 3,250 square miles ; estimated forest area, 1,840 square miles.) 



This Government reservation is situated in the northwestern corner 

 of Wyoming, and embraces a section of the main Rocky Mountain 

 range nearly GO miles square. The region is noted for its magnificent 

 scenery. Its snow-clad ranges and peaks are partially clothed with 

 pine forests, and overlook a number of beautiful lakes of great depth, 

 and clearness. Here are found the sources of rivers tributary to the 

 Missouri, the Columbia, and the Colorado of the West — great water- 

 ways which seek the sea in opposite directions. 



The predominant forest trees are White and Lodge-pole Pine. Occa- 

 sionally, upon the lower slopes of the mountains, the Yellow Pine ap- 

 pears. Scattering growths of Red Cedar and Aspen are also found 

 upon the foot-hills, and Cottonwood along the streams. 



As this reservation is under the special supervision of officers of the 

 General Government, it is presumed the forests, as well as other natu- 

 ral features of the region, will be preserved, 



COLORADO. 



The State of Colorado occupies a central and commanding position 

 upon the great interior plateau, and within its borders are grouped the 

 highest and most ruggedof the Rocky Ranges. It has been justly termed 

 "The Crest of the Continent." Amid its snowy summits and forest- 

 clad mountains rise many of the great streams constituting the water 

 systems of the West and South. Its average or mean elevation (7,000 

 feet above sea level) is greater than that of any other portion of Korth 

 America. The neighboring Territories have a mean elevation as fol- 

 lows : Kew Mexico, 5,600 feet ; Wyoming, 6,000 feet ; Utah, 5,700 feet; 

 Idaho, 4,700 feetj Montana, 3,000 feet. 



The State is regular in outline, nearly square, and embraces a super 

 ficial area of 100,200 square miles. Its two great natural subdivisions,^ 

 plains and mountains, are separated by a north and south line nearly 



