TRAVELS IN ICELAND, 



DESCRIPTION OF THE CAVERN OF SOURTIIER. 



There are many caverns in Iceland, but that called Sourther 

 is the largest, the best known, and the most remarkable, as well 

 on account of its form, as from the details given of it in the 

 ancient and modem histories of the country. In these histories 

 its name is said to be derived from that of an enormous giant, 

 who resided in it, and the inhabitants believe this fabie ; but 

 it is probable that the name of Sourtour, which means black, 

 was derived from the colour of the rocks, in which it is 

 situated. 



There is no doubt that this cave has been inhabited, not 

 by giants but by vagabonds, who escaped to avoid punishment 

 for their crimes, which is probable both from its situation and 

 the following anecdote. In two of the ancient histories it is 

 stated, that in the tenth century, a body of thieves took refuge 

 here and found a safe retreat, because, from superstition, no per- 

 son would approach the cave, and when they went out to eommit- 

 their depredations, they had on one side a number of villages, 

 and on the other the land of Arnavatn, which was always covered 

 with sheep and oxen at pasture. One day, however, they were 

 surprised by cutting off their retreat, and surrounding them in 

 a little valley. Several other tales are told of different bands 

 of robbers, who have successively resided in this cavern, which 

 have made such an impression on the minds of the people^ that 

 none of them will attempt to enter it. 



Our travellers visited this remarkable cavern ; M. Olafsen had 

 already seen it in the year 1750, but had not been able to pene- 

 trate far, on account of the want of torches and other necessary 

 things. The peasants of the district made every possible attempt 

 to deter them from their project, by insinuating that they would 

 never return, as the spirits never failed to punish the curious by 

 killing them, or preventing them from finding their way back : 

 these tales, however, only stimulated their curiosity. 



This cavern is situated to the south of the land of Arnavatn ; 

 and the country that surrounds it, bears every mark of vol- 

 canic eruptions. The cavern and its environs consist of rocks 

 of lava melted into masses, and exposed to the air a long time 

 before the country was inhabited. It may be seen from the 

 course of the lava, that the eruption took place from the glacier 

 of Geitland or the rocks behind it, and that the flux ran between 

 the glacier and another mountain called Eryksnypa, whence it 

 afterward separated into two branches. Indeed the whole of this 

 extent of country, presents a striking and extraordinary picture 

 of the action of subterraneous fire. On one side may be seen 

 large masses of detached rocks, and on the other, perfectly ho- 

 rizontal strata of stones, melted and mixed into all manner of 



