Krug von Nidda on the Mineral Springs of Iceland. 97 



The eruptions of the Strokr afford a much longer continued, 

 and hence more attractive spectacle, than the Geyser ; but I can- 

 not with certainty assert that they occur at fixed intervals of 

 time, as I had an opportunity of observing only one of them. 

 The point has been disputed by several travellers. From the 

 analogy of all other springs which exhibit eruptive phenomena, 

 it seems extremely probable that the Strokr lias fixed periods 

 of activity. It is unquestionable that the intervals of time are 

 longer than in any other intermitting spring, even than in the 

 case of the Great Geyser ; for, according to the testimony of the 

 natives who live in the neighbourhood, eruptions occur only 

 once in the two or three days. The eruptions of the Strokr do 

 not seem to have the slightest connection with those of the Great 

 Geyser. During the long eruption of the first, the other re- 

 mained perfectly tranquil, and vice versa. Indeed, every one 

 of the numerous springs, which are here crowded together in a 

 small space, seems quite independent of the others. This is 

 also indicated by their remarkable difference in level. 



The eruptive phenomena of the Great Geyser and the Strokr 

 are so magnificent, that the entire attention of the observer is 

 directed to them during his stay at this spot ; and the other nu- 

 merous springs in the vicinity are only deemed worthy of a pass- 

 ing glance. And indeed the fact is, that they present no phe- 

 nomenon which is not exhibited on a much larger scale, by the 

 Geyser and the Strokr. Thus we find between the Geyser and 

 the Strokr, but a little sidewards, and nearer the declivity of the 

 little rocky hill, a considerable opening, from which, at intervals 

 of a few minutes, a large stream of steam issues H|th a loud 

 noise. This spring was first mentioned by Stanley, and on ac- 

 count of the uninterrupted noise in the interior of the basin, the 

 pipe was named by him the Roaring Geyser. Stanley observed, 

 that at regular intervals of four to five minutes, it projected 

 water with extraordinary violence to a height of thirty or forty 

 feet, so that it was dispersed in the form of the finest spray. Du- 

 ring the earthquake of 1789, which agitated this part of the 

 island, the pipe of this spring was broken up, so that the Roaring 

 Geyser now gives out nothing but steam. About 100 yards west 

 from the Strokr, there are several openings of various dimensions, 

 which are all filled with pure transparent water. Some of them 



VOL. XXII. NO. XLIII. JANUARY 1837- 



