16 * THE NATUEALIST IN NORWAY. 



Christiania via Drammen and Kongsberg. In the 

 wide expanse of country called Thelemarken, there 

 are rapid rivers, lofty mountains, romantic waterfalls, 

 charming valleys, extensive forests, and picturesque 

 mountain lakes. Here may be seen the Rjukandfos, 

 or reeking waterfall, a stupendous cascade which is 

 formed by a rapid river that, falling over rocks, pre- 

 cipitates itself to a depth of 900 feet. The following 

 account of this magnificent waterfall is taken from 

 Everest's ' Norway ' : " Many a waterfall did we pass 

 this day which in other places would have been a 

 theme of wonder, but was here without a name. At 

 last we saw a light cloud of vapour resting on the side 

 of the hill. The atmosphere around was clear, but it 

 remained steadfast, like the spirit of the waters ; this 

 was the Ejukan (Reeking). We left our horses at a 

 small plot of ground which afforded room for two or 

 three sheds, and then had more than a mile to go 011 

 foot along a goat's track, for the valley had now 

 become nothing more than a great cleft in the rock. 

 We crept forward, however, sometimes on a narrow 

 ledge of the bare slate, nearly perpendicular ; at others 

 clinging to the bushes of birch and fir, till the falling 

 river opened upon us. It comes from the distance 

 tumbling down a slope, and distorted by the rocks 

 that oppose it, till it reaches the spot where they 

 separate, and shoots into the depths below. It appears 

 as fine and fleecy as white wool or cotton ; and though 

 the vapour obscures everything near it, yet in looking 

 over the cliff you can discern shoots of foam at the 

 bottom like rockets of water radiating in every direc- 

 tion. A low sound and vibration appear to come from 

 beneath one's feet. As I hung half-giddy on the 



