128 SPRINGS, RIVERS, CANALS, LAKES, 



of Skalholt *. The road from thence to the springs is over a flat 

 country, which, although marshy in several places, is not unpleasant 

 to the eye, and abounds in excellent pasturage. 



The steam ascending from the principal springs during their erup- 

 tions, may be seen from a considerable distance. When the air is 

 still, it rises perpendicularly like a column to a great height ; then 

 spreads itself into clouds, which roll in successive masses over each 

 other, unlill they are lost in the atmosphere. We perceived one of 

 these columns, when distant sixteen miles at least, in a direct line 

 from Haukadal. 



The springs mostly rise in a plain, between a river that winds 

 through it, and the base of a range of low hills. Many however 

 break out from the sides of the hills, and some very near their 

 summits. They are all contained, to the number of one hundred 

 or more, within a circle of two miles. 



The most remarkable spring rises nearly in the midst of the oilier 

 springs, close to the hills. It is called Geyzer t \ the name proba- 

 bly in the old Scandinavian language for a fountain, from the verb 

 geysa, sygnifying to gush, or to rush forth. The next most 

 remarkable spring rises at a distance of one hundred and forty yards 

 from it, on the same line, at the foot of the hills. We called it 

 the new Geyzer, on account of its having but lately played so 

 Violently as at present. 



There are others of consequence in the place, but none that 

 approach to these in magnificence, or that, when compared with 

 them, deserve much description. The generality of the springs are 

 in every respect similar to those near Rvkum ; boiling in cauldrons 

 of three or four feet diameter, and some of them throwing their. 



* Skalliolt consists of the Cathedral, a large building of wood, and of a 

 Yery few houses belonging to the Bishop ami his dependants. The UMmps of 

 the southern division of Iceland have always resided there; but in future their 

 residence will be at Rykiavick, a town now building on the south-west coast 

 of the island. The present Bishop, however, the worthy and learned Mr l-'in- 

 sen, has obtained the permission of continuing his residence at Skalholt during 

 the remainder of his life. 



f Three or four only of the principal springs in Iceland are distinguished by 

 the name of Geyzer, and of all the springs near liaukudal the greatest it 

 aloue called Geezer, or Great 



