1^2 Appendix. 



from various parts of my country during the last summer and 

 fall, it is suggested as a conjecture most probable that the subter- 

 ranean fire has broken out in 30 to 40 different places. 



The most fatal eruption was that which began Easter Mon- 

 day (March 29), and of which you have certainly read much in 

 English and American papers. Many of the best farming dis- 

 tricts in the east of Iceland were partly destroyed by the showers 

 of ashes and cinders, which in this catastrophe were poured out 

 over that part of the country. 



You know there is no harvest in Iceland at all, except the 

 hay harvest, and the best part of the hay is raised on small culti- 

 vated fields in the near vicmity of the farm houses. Now, if 

 any hay at all could be raised this year in the infested district, 

 the layer of cinders covering the fields 9 to 12 inches deep was 

 to be removed and cleared off. This was done in most places, 

 and as is easily understood, cost the most tedious and hard labor, 

 which indeed in many instances is said to have had its good con- 

 sequences, but, for a great deal also, was almost useless, because 

 the wind often covered the cleared fields again with as great 

 quantity of cinders as before. The result was that most of the 

 farmers in these districts got some — though very small — hay har- 

 vests, and have not been forced to part with all their live stock, 

 as was first anticipated. This year there will not be any con- 

 siderable need in Iceland as a consequence of this misfortune, 

 both on account of a liberal pecuniary collection gathered on 

 behalf of the damaged people both inside a'"'d outside the coun- 

 try, and also because the sheep and cattle which must necessarily 

 have been killed this fall will be sufficient to support them till 

 next summer; but in the following year, it is feared, the bad 

 consequences will be visible, and in the last newspapers there is 

 uttered some anxiety that the hay raised last summer will prove 

 in more or less degree poisoned, and a very unhealthy food for 

 the remaining creatures during the coming winter.'' 



Madison, Wisronsiii. .ION BJARNASON. 



