324 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 



I landed at about fifteen different fjords for the purpose of 

 investigation, but only for a few hours on each occasion, when it 

 was a chance whether in that brief interval I could light on the 

 best locality in the neighbourhood, losing time, moreover, by 

 having to wait till the steamer's boat was ready to be sent to 

 shore, having to return to the steamer for one's meals, and 

 sometimes, as the steamer's stay was short, having necessarily to 

 remain near the landing-j)lace. 



What has struck me forcibly is the succession of different 

 Geometridse in point of time, the average duration of any one 

 species in abundance and good condition being from ten days to 

 a fortnight. Diptera would appear to take the place of Hyme- 

 noptera, the latter tribe being only represented by Bomhus 

 terrestris, which occurs very sparingly ; and one or two small 

 Iclnieumonidse, also rare. Whereas among the Diptera may be 

 mentioned, first and foremost, Scatophaga stercoraria and Calli- 

 phora erythrocephala, the latter species occurring everywhere in 

 appalling numbers, — on the Angelica islandica ; on the piles of 

 fish drying on the moor, walls, or boulders at Eeykjavik; on a 

 mass of whale-blubber festering in the sun ; as well as every- 

 where else. 



I am not aware that any other British entomologist has gone 

 round the coast of Iceland on behalf of science, therefore the name 

 of every species in a list of my captures shall be appended hereto, 

 and when and where obtained. I will, however, first describe the 

 character of the country, and my manner of visiting it. 



On July 21st I rode out in the evening from Eeykjavik to 

 Hafnafiord en route for Krisuvik. This small fishing-town stands 

 on the borders of a quiet and very pretty bay, where there are 

 several fishing-boats riding at anchor. The houses of Hafnafiord 

 are painted grey and red, as at Eeykjavik, and there is a good 

 road from the capital here. Also, as at Eeykjavik, the inhabitants 

 are actively employed in piling up and drying fish. 



On July 23nd, had a call from Mr. Paterson, the English 

 consul here, and a very pleasant personage, who spoke of the 

 Gey sirs and boiling pools at Eeyka, a day's journey from 

 Krisuvik, as well worth prolonging the excursion for the purpose 

 of inspection. He handed me the keys of the house and store- 

 house at Krisuvik, once the property of the now extinct Sulphur 

 Company, and wherein travellers pass the night. It still contains 

 many of the glass jars, tin vessels, &c., formerly in use for 

 collecting and cleansmg the sulphur ; as well as a bed, hammock, 

 rugs, coverlets, &c., for the passing visitor. The house is built 

 entirely of corrugated iron, contains several apartments, and is a 

 very well constructed and serviceable dwelling. Captured 

 Calliphora ; and after being joined by my fellow-travellers, 

 and another guide from Eeykjavik, we started, about 5 p.m., with 



