CATARACTS, AND INUNDATIONS. 127 



is in latitude 64 4' 38" N. about twenty miles from Rykiavick, and 

 eight or ten from Oreback, a small harbour on the southern coast 

 of the island. The village consists of the farmer's house, and the 

 houses of his servants or dependents, and a small church. All the 

 adjacent lands belong to him, and he keeps a considerable number 

 of sheep and cattle, and some few horses. These constitute his 

 riches ; and he purchases at Rykiavick, with skins, wool and butter, 

 whatever he requires, of which the chief article is fish, for his 

 winter's provision. 



I have now related to you every circumstance that has occurred 

 to me worth mentioning concerning this interesting valley. I have 

 regretted much, however, my inability to give you a more accurate 

 account of some parts of it ; in particular, of the many springs 

 which break out near the hills to the north, and of the rocks above 

 the field where we placed our tents, which deserved more attention 

 than I gave to them. But we remained in this valley a short time 

 only, and the weather, during our continuance there, was very un- 

 favourable. 1 shall here close this letter, and reserve for another 

 (which you may very soon expect) the account I have yet to send 

 you of the Great Geyzer and the springs near Haukadal. 1 am, 

 Dear Sir, with great esteem, your most obedient servant, 



JOHN Two. STANLEY. 



2. Geysers, or Haukadal Springs. 



PART of my promise has been accomplished in a former let- 

 ter, in which I gave you the fullest account I could of the springs 

 of boiling water that rise in the valley of Rykum. It now remains 

 for me to send you a description of those we visited iu the neigh- 

 bourhood of Haukadal. 



These last are the most remarkable in the island, and the erup- 

 tions of water from some of them so astonishing, that I doubt whether 

 anv adequate idea of their effect can be given by description. Abler 

 pens than mine might fail probably in attempting to do justice to 

 such wonderful phenomena. The objects, however, are so highly 

 interesting in themselves, that even the simplest narrative that can 

 be given of them will be read with more than ordinary attention. 



They are situated about six and thirty miles from Mount Heckla, 

 and about twelve miles, in a north east direction, from the village 



