i 4 2 An AC COUNT of 



the plain into an open country, where, being increafed by tjie 

 waters of numerous ftreams and rivulets, it bends to the weft- 

 ward, and near Skalholt falls into a confiderable river, the 

 Huit-aa. 



The pleafant and fertile paftures near its banks were en- 

 livened by numerous herds of cattle and fheep, the united 

 riches of three or four farmers in the neighbourhood of Hau- 

 kadal. The mowers alfo at work in the different fields fur- 

 rounding each houfe, gave, at this feafon, additional beauty to 

 the profpect. High hills to the weftward were feparated from 

 the eminencies immediately above the fprings by a narrow 

 valley. They were partly clothed with buQies of birch, which, 

 although in no place above five feet high, were gratifying to 

 the fight, which fo feldom in Iceland can reft on any appear- 

 ance even of underwood. Above thefe, fome vegetation ftill 

 continued to cover the fides of the hills, and Mr Wright 

 found a variety of plants * near their fummits, which were cer- 

 tainly, in fome places, not lefs than fixteen hundred feet above 

 the plain. 



To the eaftward, the plain, feveral miles in breadth, was 

 bounded by a long range of blue mountains, extending confi- 

 derably to the fouth. Beyond thefe, the triple fummit of 

 Heckla may be feen from the weftern hills ; but I could not 

 diftinguifh it from the plain, or even from the heights whence 

 the view of the furrounding country was taken which I am 

 now defcribing. 



To the north behind Haukadal, there were many high 

 mountains, but at a great diftance, and of which the moft di- 

 ftant were covered with fnow. They formed part of a dreary 



afiembkge 



* Amongft others, he found the falix herbacea (teft willow), the ceraftium tomento- 

 fum (woolly moufe ear chickweed), the rumex digynus (round leaved mountain forrel), 

 and the koenigia, (a plant peculiar to Iceland), growing in great abundance, though 

 generally in low and marfhy grounds. 



