CHAPTER VI.

Iceland, its extent--Its history--Its volcanoes--Hekla and its eruptions--Eruption of the Skaptá Jokul--The geysers, or boiling springs--Their phenomena described--Account of the Strokr--Coasts and valleys of Iceland--The Thingvalla--Description of Reikiavik, the capital--Character of the Icelander--His haymaking operations--His dwelling described--An Icelandic church--Icelandic clergy--Travelling in Iceland--Its inconveniences--Fording the streams--Fishing in Iceland 162–174