might be expected, that it would here be
diminished by the confined waters of the
Skaptaa, Ofaerur, and other rivers and
brooks : but the same circumstance was to
be observed in the eastern branch, from the
place where the Hverfisfliot is stopped up.
The channel of the Skaptaa was particularly
to be distinguished, as was that of the Hros-
satunas, wherever the bed was filled by the
lava. For a considerable distance above the
farm of Skaptardal and beyond N ebs, which
was already burnt, there was in many places
no smoke, and in other spots so little as
scarcely to be perceptible; but below these
places pillars of smoke were every where
discernible along the whole of the southern
current of the lava, but principally around
Skalarstapi, where they were really dreadful.
It is indeed asserted by several persons that
this quantity has much increased since last
spring, on which account many people entertained
great fears lest a new eruption
should take place. When in company with
Mr. Levetzen and others, I performed a
journey on the 26th of July, from Mork to
Siden, we turned off to go to Skalarfial 1, a
spot which afforded us a prospect equally
pleasant and extraordinary ; for we stood
here upon the top of a very high mountain,
which on the south side was entirely covered
with grass. Here and there among the
rocks some remains of the farm-house and
church of Skal were still visible. From this
place, which commands a very extensive
view, we could see the whole mass of lava
stretching over Siden and the Medallandet,
and also a part of the western branch towards
Skaptartunga. So extensive was the
portion of lava towards the south, that the
eye could not distinguish its boundary from
that of the superincumbent clouds, in which
its utmost extremity appeared to lose itself.
As to the lava, it was every where of a coal-
black hue. In its progress along the channel
of the-Skaptaa, as well as along several of its
arms and auxiliary streams, it had formed
itself into a number of lofty hills, running
in a direction from east to west, and appear-
incr from our elevated situation like a flight
of steps. From each of these currents were
risino1 in greater or less number, columns
of smoke of different degrees of density,
which appeared where we were standing to
reach even to the clouds, exhibiting