298 On (he Glaciers and Climate of Iceland. 



when considered with reference to the high northern lati- 

 tude of the island, is as favourable as that of any other place 

 in the whole earth. A reduction of the mean temperature, 

 and a deterioration of the climate, since the commencement 

 of historical times is, therefore, much less than elsewhere to 

 be assumed at this place, where the most favourable condi- 

 tions which we could possibly look for, with the given geo- 

 graphical position, are found to exist at the present time. 



It is true, we should expect to find in the growth of plants 

 and the character of vegetation in Iceland, traces of a former 

 milder climate ; but still one is surprised to find the land 

 now utterly destitute of ti*ees, while, in former times, it was 

 covered with forests. These have, however, as we shall soon 

 shew, perished, not on account of a change of climate, but 

 through the fault of the inhabitants. The flora of the island 

 offers, on the whole, little that is peculiar ; and it is more 

 nearly allied to the flora of Scandinavia than to that of the 

 neighbouring Greenland. Widely-extended meadow-lands, 

 adorned with numberless flowers, rejoice at times the eye 

 of the traveller, which, too much accustomed to view rigid 

 wastes of lava, and bare, rocky regions, gladly rests on the 

 sight of the fresh and lively verdure of these fine meadows. 



To the botanist, the Cryptogamic vegetation in Iceland is 

 not uninteresting ; and it is in a great degree characteristic 

 of the country. Both Leafy Mosses and Lichens are very 

 prevalent. The former are spread, like carpets of emerald 

 green, over many hill-sides, along which streams and springs 

 trickle down ; and the latter form clods tinted with silver- 

 grey, and coatings of yellow and brownish-red colours, cover- 

 ing deserts which extend for many miles, and consist of de- 

 solate lava-streams thousands of years old. On account of 

 the great uniformity of the geological formations, the soil is 

 almost the same in character at all parts of the island ; and 

 is fitted, through the flowing of water over decomposing vol- 

 canic rocks, to conduce to a comparatively luxuriant growth 

 of plants. Yet it is somewhat striking, that the very per- 

 ceptible difference of climate in the north and the south of 

 Iceland, does not bring its influence to bear on the vegeta- 



