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On the Mineral Springs of Iceland. By C. KRUG VON 

 NIDDA. (Concluded from p. 110.) 



PART II. On the distribution of Mineral Springs in Iceland. 



THE occurrence of the larger and more remarkable mineral 

 springs, is intimately connected with the geognostical structure 

 of the island. As the volcanic eruptions are limited to the dis- 

 trict of the trachyte, so likewise the larger mineral springs are 

 met with only in that formation ; hence it is apparent, that it is 

 one and the same volcanic process which manifests itself, but in 

 a different manner, in the two phenomena. 



The great band of trachyte, which traverses the interior of 

 Iceland from the south-west to the north-east coast, consists of 

 two parallel mountain plateaus, which enclose a large longitudi- 

 nal valley. This valley is known only at its two openings, viz. 

 on the south-west coast, and on the north-east coast. However 

 much the diversified volcanic phenomena of these two opposite 

 points of the coast may have excited the desire of travellers to 

 investigate the interior of the island, all such attempts have hi- 

 therto been frustrated by insurmountable difficulties. 



The south-western opening of the valley forms the great 

 plain, which extends between the Eyafiell and the Bald-Jokul. It 

 may be compared to a flat surface, which is much and vari- 

 ously pierced, from whose openings there issue, occasionally, 

 streams of burning liquid lava, and, constantly, hot water and 

 gas springs. Among the numerous cones of eruption, the Hecla 

 holds the highest rank ; and of the numerous mineral springs 

 the Geyser is the most important. 



Around Skalholt there are several hot springs whose tem- 

 perature reaches the boiling point. 



In the vicinity of the lake Apa-vatn, columns of smoke may 

 be observed at many points, rising from warm springs. Several 

 of these exhibit eruptions of considerable extent, which are re- 

 peated at certain intervals. 



To the south of the Tingvalla lake, the Kirche Reikum is si- 

 tuated in a deep narrow valley, enclosed on both sides by preci- 

 pitous rocky walls, which are composed of alternate layers of 

 tuffas, streams of slag, and conglomerates. In the bottom of 



