828 MR FKANCIS J. LEWIS 



activity. No distinct stratification could be made out in this shallow peat ; stems and 

 leaves of Salix hevbacea, S. lanata, Dryas octopetala occur at various levels. This peat 

 is everywhere overlaid with 3 feet of extremely fine loam, brought by wind from the 

 volcanic regions to the north-east. This deposit covers large areas between Reykir and 

 the Poera River, and is still being formed. During two days' journey across this district 

 the dust was brought in sufficient quantity to obscure the sun and produce a thick 

 gloom, whilst the dust, as fine as flour, penetrated everything. At the River Hvita, 

 on the banks of a small tributary, I found a good natural section through deep peat, 

 the stream having cut through the deposits to a depth of 17 feet. This section showed 

 the following features from the surface downwards : — 



1. Fine gray loam, 3 feet. 



2. Peat, 6 inches, containing Equisetum arvense, Selaginella selaginoides, Isoetes echinospora, Potamo- 



geton sp. 



3. Peat, 2 feet 8 inches, crowded with the roots and trunks of Betula verrucosa with catkin scales, 



Juniperus communis, Menyanthes trifoliata, Garex sps. 



4. Peat, 7 feet, containing Salix lanata, Dryas octopetala, Polygonum viviparum, Betula nana leaves. 



5. Peat, 3 feet, containing Juniperus communis, Betula verrucosa, Ehrh. 



6. Peat, 1^ feet, formed of Oar ex sps., Menyanthes trifoliata. 



7. Fine sand to a depth of 3 feet. 



The largest birch trunks encountered in layers 3 and 5 were 10|- inches in diameter. 

 These two layers were closely crowded with wood and bark. Trees of this size are now 

 extremely rare in Iceland, and only occur in a few sheltered places in the eastern part 

 of the country. 



Without attempting to draw any comparison between this peat and the British 

 deposits, it may be pointed out that, judging from the great depth of this 

 section, the lower strata, in all probability, go back as far as the lower strata in 

 Britain, as peat formation could hardly have proceeded much faster in Iceland than 

 in Shetland. 



Between the Southern Hvita and the Pjorsa is an extensive region of deep peat 

 having a smooth surface. Owing to the difficulty of obtaining labour, excavations 

 could not be made, but soundings taken with a long rod showed abundant wood 

 at a depth of 6^ feet. A thorough examination by means of sections would almost 

 certainly yield material of much interest. Special arrangements would have to be 

 made to obtain labour, and the work should be done in July or August, when a 

 stay of several weeks would be necessary, during which time the ponies could be sent 

 back to Reykjavik, as considerable expense would be entailed by keeping them on 

 the ground. 



During the last part of my visit I camped for some time on the peat deposits which 

 lie 8 or 10 miles south of Reykjavik, and whilst there, had a number of sections carried 

 to the base of the peat. The country consists of a number of shallow valleys lying 

 almost due east and west. The floors of these valleys are covered with peat averaging 

 8-12 feet in depth. 



