The United States 167 
established in the year 1872, is the 
oldest and largest one. It is chiefly- 
situated in the State of Wyoming, and 
covers a space of 3,348 square miles. 
The park contains numerous falls and 
rapids, picturesque rocks, fine forests, 
and, above all, about 200 head of the 
American bison [Bison americanus) 
which in general is becoming extinct. 
The Sequoia National Park, in 
California, was instituted in 1890, par- 
ticularly for the protection of the 
American Big Tree {Sequoia gigantea). 
This reservation has an extent of 250 
square miles. Some of the trees attain 
a height of more than 300 feet ; and 
sometimes the bases of the trunks are 
so thick that gateways for carriages 
have been made through them. The 
largest trees of the kind are labelled 
with the names of celebrated persons. 
The General Grant National Park, 
also in California, was instituted in 
