should be led to conclude that its origin was not in one but in many places. At least, according to the generally received opinion, one place must be allowed for the eastern and another for the great western stream of lava; for so did it appear to those persons who in 1783 proceeded to some distance up the mountains. In like manner the tremendous pillars of smoke among the mountains seemed to the inhabitants of the plains to have various sources, and the same also seemed to me to be the case last summer, when I was in Sida. observations, however, I am

From later

induced to adopt a totally different opinion. According to a part of my instructions I resolved to undertake a journey myself from the plains to the place of eruption, notwithstanding that every one represented the accomplishment of my design as a thing impracticable on account of the great distance, the badness. of the roads, the fresh streams, the impassable rivers, the intolerable heat, the dreadful smoke, the suffocating smell of sulphur, the want of grass and forage for our horses. All these, however, could not

deter me. With a great deal of difficulty did I at last persuade a brave old man, who had been born in this district, to accompany me to the mountains, at least as far as the

place whence it was said that the eastern stream of lava had its source. It now only remained for us to consult from what place such a journey might most conveniently be undertaken. From Fliotsverfet it was impossible on account of the impassable mountains, especially the ice-mountain, Sidu or Skaptar-Jökul; and moreover the new lavatract passes in that direction, as well as the Hverfisfliot, which is quite choaked up with lava. From Skaptartungen on the western side it was likewise impracticable to proceed, as the Skaptaa and the other two great rivers Efri and Sydri-Ofæra, which had been filled up with lava, impeded the progress in this direction. It was therefore necessary that the journey should be commenced from Sida, and with this view we procured two horses to convey the two boring instruments (an earth and a mountain-shaft), with some provisions and a small tent. To these were added six riding-horses for myself, my

companion, and servant, which latter was to assist in making experiments with the shafts as well as to take care of the horses.

Journey to the

§ XVII.

In the morning of the 16th of mountains. July, at four o'clock, I proceeded on my route towards the mountains, and on advancing near the moors, north of Prestbacke and Mördtunga, upon Sida (for my tent was pitched between these two farms), I was greatly astonished at the miserable appearance of the pastures. Even here, where many farmers from Sida were in the habit of sending cattle in summer, for the sake of the excellent grass, every thing was evidently quite burned up by the falling of hot ashes and sand; excepting only in those places where an enormous mass of volcanic ashes and gravel had formed a deep black covering, and thus wholly concealed the surface of the earth. The farther we advanced towards the mountains, the thicker lay the ashes, reaching in some places even to the thickness of four or five inches: yet even here in a few spots some half-withered herbs and blades of grass were beginning

to make their appearance. The same fate had attended Sidumanna-afrett formerly so fertile in grass. In this place ashes and sand lay still deeper, and not a single trace of herbage was to be seen; so that it cannot be expected that vegetation will recover itself in a less space of time than four or five years; although there is reason to hope that in two years, provided no new eruption ensues, the other lands may again become in a measure fertile.

After crossing a number of dangerous moors, I arrived at a very large and wellknown mountain, called Kallbakur, near the eastern stream of lava. From the northeastern extremity of this eminence I could at one view survey a vast tract of lava which had proceeded a considerable way towards the west, passing the north side of Kallbakur, between that mountain and another north-west from hence, called Miklafell. Between Kallbakur and Eriksfell, a mountain on the eastern side, the lava became very narrow, nor does it spread itself much on either side of the former channel of the Hverfisfliotet, where the smoke was yet

rising to an alarming degree. No accumulation of clouds in the air can be imagined to form a more dense body than the smoke that now issued from this place, which rolled itself over twice or thrice before it could be driven farther on by the wind. Hence I followed the lava-stream, which spread itself a long way towards the west, between Kallbakur and Miklafell, in the north, at length approaching so near to the eastern side of the latter mountain, that it was with great difficulty we could pass between it and the hill; especially as the smoke was here very strong. On the western side indeed there is a road, but it is nearly impassable; so that nothing was to be done but to proceed over the middle of Miklafell. Here I alighted, and, having given the horses a little rest, went with my companion over the lava, as far as the heat would permit us. I examined with all possible diligence the different sorts of lava, and whatever else was remarkable, of which an account will be given in its proper place, as well as of the result of the experiments with the boring instruments.