eagles, that at one view we remarked no less
than five of these birds perched upon the
rocks at a small distance from us, and so
fearless were they of strangers that I was
able to ride within thirty or forty yards of
one pair without their oflfering to move.
The unevenness of the country did not admit
of a nearer approach, and I had therefore
no other means of trying the extent of
their self-confidence, except by urging my
dog to go up to them, and him they suffered
to come within a distance of scarcely more
than twenty yards, before his barking at
length compelled them to take flight. Both
these birds and the ravens do much mischief
to the flocks of sheep, particularly in the
spring, by carrying away the young lambs.
We still continued along the shore, and, in
our way, rode at the foot of a most romantic
cliff, broken into a variety of picturesque
forms, and here and there adorned with tufts
of birch and various kinds of willows, while
the numerous rills of water, which poured
down the sides, afforded nourishment to a
thick covering of moss, that added a richness
to the coloring. On this grew the beautiful
Epilobium angustifolium, and I also gathered
Ligusticum scoticum, though with
its flowers scarcely expanded. Soon after,
among some loose soil by the side of a river,
I found the Papaver nudicaule in full flower.
Early in the afternoon we reached Leera,
where our friend, the Sysselman, who was in
expectation of us, afterwards joined our little
party to Reikevig. In the evening, as we
approached Inderholme, we saw, at a considerable
distance, entering the Bay of Faxa-
fiord, a large three-masted vessel, which the
Etatsroed supposed might be an American,
that was expected to arrive with provisions.
Saturday, My luggage and horses having, as
August 5. above-mentioned, been previously
sent to Reikevig by land, the Etatsroed, the
Amptman, the Sysselman, and myself, accompanied
by the eldest sons of the two
former, embarked on board a six-oared boat
to cross the bay for the same place. In conformity
with a custom generally prevalent
in Iceland, previously to making an aquatic
excursion, all the crew took off their hats
and rested a few moments upon their oars,
while they offered up a silent ejaculation to
Heaven for a prosperous voyage. A light