43 



QLAFSEN ANI> POVELSEN's 



sarily have run from above and over that chain. A large portion 



of the base having, however, disappeared, it caused a vast space 

 between it and the ice, which not being able to sustain its 

 weight for any time, must necessarily have submitted to a dis- 

 ruption ; the falling matter stopt the waters, which afterwards- 

 taking their course along the rampart, sunk and carried the icy 

 fragments along with them, from which has been formed the 

 space between the rampart and the chain of ice. 



To these same causes may be partly attributed the wonderful 

 changes, which in the opinion of the inhabitants of the country 

 have taken place in the other glaciers, and particularly in those 

 to the eastward. They report, that in certain times their border 

 or base extends as far as the plains or level country, while 

 in other parts it retires or disappears precipitately or imper- 

 ceptibly. 



Finding the night advancing upon us rapidly, we proceeded 

 on our journey, as we had a long and very difficult route to 

 reach the village. In our way, we observed that the soil in 

 various parts of this district differed materially, and that most 

 of the plains were of a swampy nature. 



OF THERMAL WATERS OR HOT SPRINGS. 



It is a matter of surprise, that learned Europeans have hitherto 

 said nothing of the Thermal springs that abound in Iceland ; 

 and it would still be more remarkable, if we were to suppose 

 them unacquainted with their existence ; for there is no country 

 where such springs are more numerous. We shall first mention 

 the springs and hot-baths in the district of Borgarfiord, in the 

 vicinity of the river Leyr. That of Hver is not the least con- 

 siderable ; for its waters boil, but not in sufficient strength to 

 rise in globules; they have what our hydraulogists and mi- 

 neralogists call the u mm incrustandi" that is, that the particles 

 they throw up, by striking against the rocks and stones above 

 the water, attach to them and form a kind of white and hard 

 crust very similar to gypsum. This crust is composed of small, 

 round, worm-like particles, generated by the drops of water 

 that separate from each other, after the rocks in question have 

 been moistened; and thus they depose the sediment they con- 

 tain. On seeing a piece of this crust, it may be mistaken for 

 Iceland coral deprived of its ramifications or branches: the 

 substance of this crust is by no means calcareous, as has hitherto 

 been supposed; and it caues no effervescence either with the 

 acidulated waters, or with aquafortis. 



There is another small thermal spring at a little distance 

 from that of Hver ; its basin is in the form of a cauldron, and 

 its border is covered with grass and concretions, or stalactites, 



