have since been distinguished by the names
of Snoefel-nes and Reikanes; but, afterwards,
proceeding northward, he harbored for the
winter at Watnsfiordur, in the gulf of Breid-
afiord. So great was the quantity of ice
which, in the spring of the following year,
entered the harbor, that Floco was tempted,
in consequence of it, once more to change
the name of the island, and give it that
which it has ever since retained. He passed
another winter in the southern part of the
country previously to his return to Norway,
where, on account of the use he had made
of the ravens, he obtained the appellation
of Rafnafloke.
Induced by the relation given by Floco
of the condition of the new country, Ingulf,
a Norwegian, of noble birth and great opulence,
having fallen under the displeasure
of the tyrant, Harald Hafalgar, conceived,
together with his friend, Hiorleif, the
project of establishing themselves in
Iceland: in pursuance of this plan, the
former sailed, in 8?0, for the purpose of
exploring its shores; but no settlement was
made till the year 874, when they both
emigrated, accompanied by their respective
families and numerous followers. In compliance
with a custom among the Norwegians,
that was sanctioned by the religion of
those days, Ingulf, on his approach to the
coast, cast the door-posts of the house which
he had left into the sea, that wheresoever
they were thrown on shore he might establish
his infant colony ; but, being himself driven
in a different direction from them, he was
reduced to the necessity of landing on a
promontory, which to this day bears the name
of Ingulfshofde, in the south-eastern part of
the island ; and it was not till after a period
of three years that the posts were found on
the shore of the bay where Reikevig now
stands, to which spot Ingulf, with his family,
immediately repaired, and built their
habitation. Hiorleif, regardless of heathenish
superstitions, fixed his abode a t. a place
called Hiorleifshofde, and employed himself
and his attendants in the cultivation of
the soil. A termination was soon put to his
improvement and his life by some Irish
servants, whom he had brought with him
from Norway, and who afterwards fled to