BORGAFIORD. 
233 
broken into numerous little hillocks, intersected 
with rocky divisions, as is almost every where 
the case in Iceland with the best pasture land, 
owing, probably, to the treading of cattle between 
the pieces of rock, which are but thinly covered 
with earth. Hence to the sea, and for a long 
way upon the shore, extended a perfectly level 
track of country, at one extremity of which, over 
a little brook, a watermill had been erected, 
which was worked by a horizontal wheel, and 
served to grind corn for the family. This, if I 
mistake not, is the only one in the island. Some 
drains, cut by the Tatsroed in an adjoining mo¬ 
rass, had greatly improved the soil, and furnished 
a more copious supply of water to the mill. 
Were like simple means to be employed in other 
morasses in Iceland, the greater part of which 
are admirably calculated for draining, the country 
would be rendered more easily passable, and the 
increased quantity of fodder, produced in con¬ 
sequence of such an improvement, would be of in¬ 
calculable benefit to the poor natives. The house 
of the Tatsroed was but lately erectedand, as 
I have before observed, is one of the best, or, 
* How exactly similar the present mode of building is to 
that which was in practice upwards of two centuries ago, 
may be seen by the chapter “ De moribus seu communi vi- 
“ vendi ratione,” in Arngrim Jonce Islandi Tractatus de 
e ‘ Islandicce gentis primordiis, fyc.” Indeed, in no part of 
