404 Europe : — a popular Physical Sketch. 



precipices towards the sea. The highest mountains are 

 Orafa-Jokul, 6400 feet, Oster- Jokul, 5653 feet. In the south- 

 western part Hekla rises to a height of 5333 feet, from 

 which it will be perceived that the mountains of this island 

 are less lofty than those of Scandinavia. 



In consequence of the south-eastern being the highest 

 part of the island, its waters generally speaking have a di- 

 rection to the north and east, and the greater number of 

 extensive rivers run towards the north country and the 

 south-west coast, whereas the eastern and south-eastern coast 

 receive but few rivers of considerable size. The largest 

 rivers in the north are, Blanda, Herads, Vandene, Skial- 

 fandaflod, and Jokul-Aae ; — in the east, Fliotsdals-Aae ; — 

 and in the south-west, Olvessaae, Thiorsaae, and Hvitaae. 

 The most extensive lakes are, Thingwalle-vatn, Hvitaar- 

 vatn, and My-vatn. Iceland abounds in hot springs (' Hverar') 

 the temperature of which frequently approaches, or even 

 reaches, the boiling-point. Many of them contain silex, which 

 when the water evaporates, accumulates in these springs to 

 such an extent as even to stop the water, which then is 

 obliged to find some new opening. The hot spring most 

 celebrated is Geyser,* a kind of natural spring, sending its 

 waters to a perpendicular height of 106 to- 313 feet, not 

 however continually, but at regularly fixed intervals. The 

 cause of this phenomenon is attributed to subterraneous 

 vapours, which when accumulated to a certain quantity, 

 conquer the pressure of the water, and throw it high into 

 the air. 



The mountains of Iceland are chiefly volcanic, i. e., pro- 

 duced by fire. In many the fire is still active, as in Hekla, 

 Krabla, Orafa-Jokul, Kotlugio-Jokul, and Eyafield-Jokul, 



* This name is applied either to an entire district abounding with 

 hot springs, or to the largest of them, i. e. the old Geyser, which how- 

 ever of late but seldom and slowly sends forth its jets. ' Strokken' is 

 at present (1835) more active. 



