140 An ACCOUNT of 



ing in caldrons of three or four feet diameter, and fome of 

 them throwing their water from time to time by fudden jets 

 into the air. Many fprings in this place, as in the other, boil 

 through ftrata of coloured clay, by which they are rendered 

 turbid. Here, however, the red clays were brighter, and in 

 a greater proportion to the clays of other colours. Here alfo, 

 as in the valley of Rykum, are many fmall fprings, which 

 throw out fulphureous vapour, and near which the ground, 

 and the channel of the water, are covered and lined with a thin 

 coat of fulphur. 



The farm of Haukadal, and the church of the parifh, frand 

 near to each other about three quarters of a mile beyond the 

 great fpring. The houfe is one of the bed built in Iceland. 

 It occupies a large fpace of ground, and confifts of feveral di- 

 vifions, to each of which there is an entrance from without. 

 Some of thefe are ufed as barns and ftables for the cattle, and 

 others as work-lhops *. The dwelling part of this houfe was 

 fmall, but comfortable. There was a parlour with glafs win- 

 dows, a kitchen, and feparate bed-chambers for the family. 

 The building was partly of (lone, partly of wood, and cover- 

 ed with fods, under which the bark of birch trees on boards 

 are generally placed, as a greater fecurity againft rairi. 



We were obliged to the miftrefs of this farm, who was a. 

 rich widow, for a very hofpitable reception, although at firft 

 (he feemed to confider us rather as unwelcome vifltors, and left 

 us, though we had requefted admittance into her houfe, as we 

 were drenched with rain, and our tents and baggage not yet 

 arrived, to take up our lodging in the church. We had not 

 been long there, however, before me invited us to her houfe, 



and. 



* As the divifion of labour is yet very imperfect in Iceland, the farmer is under the 

 neceftity, either of exercifing himfe'.f the feveral trades required in the formation of the 

 inftruments of agriculture, or of maintaining fuch fervants as are capable to fupply 

 them. 



