1846] JOURNAL— ICELAND. 135 



Willows, amongst which the Salix kinata was peculiarly beautiful. 

 The highest Birch which I saw was about six feet tall. We soon 

 reached the foot of the mountains on the east side of the valley of 

 Thingvalla, having rounded the end of the lake, and descended from 

 the lava bj'^ a very steep and rugged path into a fine grassy district. 

 This lava is found by the Baron Waltershausen to have come from 

 ■a, mountain in this neighbourhood, and descended as far as Hafnar- 

 Fiord. At the top of this descent we saw the so-called crater 

 mentioned by Hooker, and also the caves in the lava, the roof of 

 ■one of which seemed as if it was a regular arch of stones. Further 

 on we passed along the base of a grand range of dark, quite barren, 

 mountains, which looked as if they had so recently been burned that 

 there had not been time for vegetation to commence upon them. 

 Then followed a very extensive morass, on the borders of which are 

 several hot springs sending up volumes of steam. We crossed a 

 part of this in order to find some large streams, and then turned 

 into the hills, through a very pretty country, having continual views 

 of the marshes, with two large lakes and large streams in them. At 

 length we arrived at the river Briiara, which we crossed by a most 

 singular and formidable looking ford. The river was here falling 

 into a narrow crevice, passing lengthwise up its bed, over which 

 a small wooden bridge was thrown, so that by fording to the bridge, 

 and again fording to the further shore, we passed it. At length we 

 came in sight of the Geysers, and saw a distant eruption of the Little 

 Geyser. Passing a very wet marsh, and a river said to be dangerous 

 from holes, we reached the Geysers at about 9.30 p.m., and after 

 pitching our tent near the great one, we saw an eruption from it of 

 moderate size. We found the Baron von Waltershausen and some 

 French and Danish gentlemen in four tents there before us. 



Jioly 9. This morning the Great Geyser favoured us with a very 

 grand eruption, preceded by sounds like the distant firing of great 

 guns, and a shaking of the ground for some distance around. The 

 water rose to the height, by careful measurement by the Baron, of 

 105 English feet. During the day the Strokkur had three fine erup- 

 tions, one of which sent the water up to 146 feet. The Great 

 Geyser had several small eruptions during the day, and often boiled 

 over. We never went out of sight of the springs during the day, 

 but employed ourselves in botanizing and collecting minerals, etc. 

 Guy Gisborne was so unfortunate as to scald his foot at the Great 

 ■Geyser. 



July 10. This morning we left on our return, with much sorrow 

 on my part, as I should have much liked to continue there another 

 day, the interest of the place rather increasing by time. We saw a 

 very fine eruption of the Great Geyser before starting. Also smoke 

 from the lofty mass of Hekla, Avhich is visible over the tops of the 

 nearer hills. We reached Thingvalla in the evening. As yet we 

 had had peculiarly fine weather. Slept in the tent. 



