IITTER. 
passes, are lined with an incrustation, which 
is most pure in those that emit it perpen- 
dicularly. This substance is said to resem- 
ble chased work, is of a very fine grain, and 
will not effervesce with acids ; unfortu- 
nately the circumstances that excite curio- 
sity to examine these springs, prevent its 
gratification, as it is impossible to explore 
their depths, or dig round them without 
danger ; an opportunity occurred, however, 
at Laugarnas, where Dr. Von Troil had the 
satisfaction of observing the course of a 
spring through a bright grey clay, “ the 
surface of which was covered with a white 
rind; but was on the side nearest the clay 
quite smooth, and crisped on the upper side. 
The vein flowed a good way under this 
crust, through a canal formed of a similar 
matter, and the whole canal was filled with 
crystals, which had a very pleasing effect.” 
He was interrupted in his attempts to trace 
the further progress of the water by its re- 
tirement to subterraneous passages, where, 
compressed by exhalations, and acquiring 
greater heat, it has forced a new course, 
and gushes but at an opening some distance 
from the first mentioned. 
The water has a sulphurous taste, in some 
instances, when hot, but is exactly similar 
to common boiled water when cold. It is 
used by the inhabitants for dying, and 
might be applied to many purposes with 
great advantage, as victuals may be dressed 
by its heat, merely by placing the meat in a 
covered vessel immersed in common water, 
and that in the boiling fluid ; they have 
indeed evaporated sea water over it, and 
made excellent fine salt; and the cows 
which drink from the stream after it has 
cooled, are said to give great quantities of 
good milk. Olafsen says, that syrup of vio- 
lets will not change its colour, and that al- 
kali has no effect when thrown into it. 
There cannot be a doubt that the heat of 
these springs and fountains is derived from 
the volcanos of the island, but for obvious 
reasons they are seldom found very near 
them ; they are common throughout the 
country, in the vallies between mountains, 
and even the summits of the ice mountains 
have their hirers, particularly Toifa Jockul, 
which abounds with hot springs, and two 
send their water to a great height ; besides 
those, there is a luke warm spring near 
Haadegis Hunk, on Gutland’s Jockul, at 
the base of the mountain, with numerous 
marks of closed huers. The influence 
which urges this heated water upwards is so 
considerable as to force it in that state 
through the cold medium of the sea, the 
steam accompanying it, floating from the 
place, and pointing out the situation of the 
spring. Dr. Von Troil enumerates many 
separate huers and fountains, which he vi- 
sited in different parts of the island; 
amongst those the valley of Reykholts con- 
tains the greatest number. This vale is 
two miles and a half in breadth, and the 
steam arising from it is conspicuous for seve- 
ral miles, producing an appearance exactly 
similar to the smoke ascending from a vol- 
cano. The huers at Delves are supposed 
to be the largest in Iceland ; and the most 
remarkable are Geyser and Badstofn; 
there is one at this place which emits va- 
pour only, but so very hot that water may 
be boiled by holding it above the steam a 
few minutes. 
Geyser is situated about two days journey 
from Mount Hecla, near a farm called Hau- 
kadal. Here, says Dr. Von Troil, a poet 
would have an opportunity of painting a 
picture of whatever nature has of beautiful 
and terrible united, by delineating one of 
its most uncommon phenomena; it would 
be a subject worthy the pen of a Thomson, 
to transport the reader, by poetical ima- 
gery, to the spot which is here presented 
to the eye. A spacious plain, bounded 
on one side by very distant mountains, co- 
vered with ice, and their summits enve- 
loped in clouds, which frequently changing 
their position, descend to their bases, leaving 
the pointed crags as if resting upon them, 
are the least interesting part of the wild and 
chilling wonders surrounding Geyser. Hecla 
frowning with volcanic majesty, and exhibit- 
ing three vast pyramids encrusted with iee, 
towering far above the clouds, sends forth 
enormous volumes of smoke, which floating 
away in the direction of the wind, and unit- 
ing with them, forms another portion of 
this horrid circle, which is completed by a 
ridge of high rocks, wetted by the steanis 
exhaling from springs gushing in a state of 
ebullition at their feet, and a marsh half a 
mile in circumference, whence the vapours 
of fifty others ascend to an amazing height. 
In the centre is Geyser, the approach to 
which is perceived at a considerable dis- 
tance by the rushing noise it occasions, re- 
sembling the fall of a cataract over preci- 
pices. The aperture whence the water 
proceeds, is nineteen feet in diameter ; but 
the bason or excavation made by the de- 
scent of the fluid, is fifty-nine feet in breadth, 
