On the Glaciers and Climate of Iceland. 301 



Man should naturally assume a prominent place. It is not our 

 intention, however, to enter at present on a subject which ap- 

 pears worthy of being treated in a more detailed manner, and 

 which, therefore, we will rather reserve for a more suitable 

 occasion. 



Although now, in such an uncertain field, much that is pro- 

 blematical may remain to be cleared up by future observers, 

 yet we hope that we at present establish all essential points, 

 so far as our limited time, and circumstances, which, in some 

 respects, were extremely unfavourable, have made it possible 

 for us to do so. We ai'e perfectly aware how much geology 

 is in want of a strictly scientific foundation, yet our Ice- 

 landic observations afford at least a pleasing prospect, that, 

 even here, with the aid of the exact sciences, a sure ground 

 may be attained. The co-operation of Natural Philosophy and 

 Chemistry, together with the quite indispensable basis of a 

 trustworthy topography,* will lead us in time to more favour- 



* Our resources regarding the topography of Iceland have been very consi- 

 derably improved in recent times. In the last century, Olafsen's map, although 

 defective and erroneous in many respects, was decidedly the best. This has 

 since been frequently republished by various compilers, sometimes on a larger, 

 and sometimes on a smaller scale ; never improved however ; but, as usually 

 occurs in such cases, disfigured by numerous additional mistakes. To obviate 

 in some degree the want of a good chart, which was much felt in the navigation 

 of the northern seas, the Danish Government, in the beginning of the present 

 century, commissioned Messrs Scheel and Frisack to make a trigonometrical 

 survey of Iceland. They carried out from Reykjavik, round the whole island, 

 a chain of triangles, returning into itself. The sides of the triangles were of 

 considerable size for the time at which the survey was made. In the middle 

 of the island a space remained unsurveyed, being out of the course of their 

 measurements. Although this survey does not fulfil all the demands which, 

 at the present day, may be made on such works, yet, when the almost incon- 

 ceivable impediments occasioned by the climate are considered, its high merit 

 cannot fail to be appreciated by all those who, under such circumstances, have 

 been obliged to conduct similar undertakings. This survey also aff'ordsall that 

 is requisite for the preparation of any charts on a moderate scale. More re- 

 cently, Major Olsen has undertaken to construct a map of Iceland, on a scale of 

 1 to 48,000. As the basis of this, he has adopted the survey of which we have 

 just been speaking, and he has availed himself of all information as to details 

 which has hitherto been obtained, and which, for the most part, is deposited 

 in the Royal Treasury at Copenhagen. This information has originated from 

 VOL. XLV. NO. XC. — OCTOBER 1848. X 



