THE RUIKAND. 27 



caused much greater mischief than Hecla. In 1755, one of these threw 

 out ashes that fell like rain on the Feroe Islands, at the distance of more 

 than three hundred miles. But the last great eruption in 1783 was the 

 most terrific on record. This proceeded from the Shaptaa Jokul. Many 

 thousands of lives were destroyed; not absolutely by fire or ashes, but 

 by starvation, the consequence of the burning up of all the vegetation on 

 which the flocks and herds subsisted, and of the total disappearance of 

 fish from the coasts. At that unhappy season, an enormous column of 

 fire cast its glare over the entire island, and was seen from all sides at sea, 

 and at the distance of many leagues. Issuing forth with the fire, an 

 immense quantity of brimstone, sand, pumice stone, and ashes, were 

 carried by the wind, and strewed over the devoted land. The continual 

 smoke and steam darkened the sun, which in colour looked like blood. 

 The whole face of the island has been changed by these terrific convul- 

 sions, and it is estimated that one continued surface of sixty thousand 

 square miles has been subjected to the force of subterraneous fire in this 

 part of the world. 



THE RIUKAND, OR SMOKING CATARACT OF NORWAY. 



The Maane Elv (river) takes its course through the valley from west 

 to east, and empties itself into a branch of the lake called Tindsjoen, 

 which is 612 feet above the level of the sea. This river has its outlet 

 from another lake, Mjos Vandet, considerably higher, at a short distance 

 from which it rushes over perpendicular rocks, at the extremity of the 

 valley, forming at its fall the celebrated Rieukard or Smoking Cataract. 

 The valley is inclosed to the south by the mountain Gousta, one of the 

 highest in Scandinavia, and by a lower ridge of mountains towards the 

 north. The Gousta mountain is estimated, as being at least 6,000 feet 

 above the level of the sea. At a distance of about five English miles up 

 the valley, a smoke or vapour, rising up among the wild black grey 

 mountainous country is now seen, which alternately rises and falls, 

 denoting the nearer approach to the Riukand, and giving the first im- 

 posing impression of the stupendous dimensions of this magnificent 

 cataract. Proceeding farther the traveller arrives at the commencement 

 of the so called Maristein (Mary's Path), and has a distinct view of the 

 fall, being then opposite to it, at the distance of less than half an English 

 mile. From this spot the fall is seen to the greatest advantage. It 

 precipitates itself down the rocks with a tremendous roar, through a 

 cavity in the rocks not more than twelve feet wide, having the appearance 



