TRANSACTIONS OP THE SECTIONS. 75 



On a Process for obtaining and purifying Glycerine, and on some of its 

 Applications. By G. F. Wilson. 



The manner in which it is prepai-ed is by placing a piece of common fat in a quan- 

 tity of supersaturated steam ; the fat is decomposed, and resolves itself into two sub- 

 stances, viz. an acid and glycerine. The latter, having a taste like sugar, is applicable 

 to the cure of burns, rheumatism, and ear diseases ; it is a substitute for cod-liver oil, 

 and also for spirits of wine ; also for the preservation of flesh ; and can be applied to 

 photography, and preserving animals in their natural colours. 



GEOLOGY. 



On the condition of the Haukedalr Geysers of Iceland, July, 1 855. 

 By Robert Allan, F.E.'S.E., F.G.S. ^c. 



The Geysers of Iceland, like most volcanic phsenomena in other regions, are change- 

 able in their action, and from time to time alter in their character and appearance. 

 Some of them, it is a well-ascertained fact, are steadily increasing in activity and 

 intensity, while others are as distinctly growing weaker. Those of Haukedalr, 

 towards the south-western extremity of the island, are the hot springs best known 

 to us ; and although there can be little question t;hat they fall under the category of 

 diminishing Geysers, their action is still powerful, and their structure most remark- 

 able. These Geysers, according to well-authenticated Icelandic history, came into 

 existence in the fifteenth century, namely, in the year 1446. What phsenomena 

 attended their emption at that period we are not informed, but their action is under- 

 stood among scientific men in Iceland, to have been then and long after much more 

 powerful than it now is ; nor is the statement made by Olavsen and Paulson, that 

 the eruption of the Great Geyser in the year 1772 rose to the height of 360 feet, 

 however incredible in our eyes, disbelieved by well-informed men in that country. 



But coming down to our own times, and taking facts upon which there can be no 

 possible doubt, we still find the description and drawings of these Geysers, as de- 

 tailed by each successive visitor who has published any account of them during the 

 current century, differ materially in particulars. Sir George Mackenzie's narrative, 

 in 1810, is a faithful and interesting one; but the changes which have occurred 

 in the intervening forty-five years are sufficiently remarkable to render them worthy 

 of record. 



The entire area of these hot springs cannot exceed sixteen or twenty acres, and 

 its extreme length from north to south is not above a quarter of a mile. They are 

 situated at the foot of Langarfiall, a crag about 300 feet high, upon rather elevated 

 flat ground, commanding a wide open view over a fine verdant plain to the east and 

 south, Blafell and other mountains partly capped with snow rising to the north with 

 great magnificence. Even the white point of Hecla may be distinguished in this 

 locality some thirty miles distant. 



This area or field slopes to the south, and also falls away towards the river on the 

 east, so that the Great Geysers is situated not only towards the northern, but also 

 on the higher portion of the ground. The Strokr is distant about 120 yards south- 

 ward of the Geyser; and the little Strokr perhaps 100 yards still farther south and 

 in nearly a direct line. These are the three principal springs at present erupting, 

 and although there are from forty to fifty other apertures in the vicinity, and par- 

 ticularly towards the lower or southern extremity of the field, some of which emit 

 water with violent ebullition and much noise, yet to these three alone can the title 

 of either Geyser or Strokr be properly applied — the former, that is the Geyser, 

 meaning " Agitator," and the latter, or Strokr, being the common Icelandic name 

 for a churn. To the Strokrs the appellation of Roaring Geyser and New Geyser are 

 given by previous travellers ; but as this rather tends to confusion, we shall retain the 

 names given them by the peasantry, about which there can be no misapprehension. 



On still higher ground than even the Geyser, and more towards the aforemen- 



