HOT SPRINGS in ICELAND. 137 



thermometer, immerfed in it above where it is joined by the 

 waters of the Little Geyzer, rofe to 67 degrees, while in the 

 open air it flood at 60. The breadth of the river in the fame 

 place is forty feet ; its mean depth two feet and an half, and 

 its courfe is rather rapid. Several kinds of fifti are found in it ; 

 in particular, numbers of very fine falmon. 



The village of Rykum or Ryka, called either indifcrimi- 

 nately, from Ryk, an Icelandic word, fignifying fmoke, is fituated 

 in the middle of the valley, and, by an obfervation made by 

 Mr Baine, is in latitude 64 4 38" N. about twenty miles 

 from Rykiavick, and eight or ten from Oreback, a fmall har- 

 bour on the fouthern coafl of the ifland. The village con- 

 fifls of the farmer's houfe, and the houfes of his fervants or 

 dependants, and a fmall church. All the adjacent lands belong 

 to him, and he keeps a considerable number of (heep and cat- 

 tle, and fome few horfes. Thefe conftitute his riches ; and he 

 purchafes at Rykiavick, with fkins, wool and butter, whatever 

 he requires, of which the chief article is fiih, for his winter's 

 provifion. 



I have now related to you every circumftance that has oc* 

 curred to me worth mentioning concerning this interefting 

 valley. I have regretted much, however, my inability to give 

 you a more accurate account of fome parts of it ; in particular, 

 of the many fprings which break out near the hills to the north, 

 and of the rocks above the field where we placed our tents, 

 which deferved more attention than I gave to them. But we 

 remained in this valley a fhort time only, and the weather, du- 

 ring our continuance there, was very unfavourable. I fhall 

 here clofe this letter, and referve for another (which you may 

 very foon expect) the account I have yet to fend you of the 

 Great Geyzer and the fprings near Haukadal. I am, Dear Sir> 

 with great efteem, your moil obedient fervant, 



John Tho. Stanley. 

 Vol. III. S VI. 



