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THE

NATURAL HISTORY

OF

oe AACN BD:

CONTAINING

A particular and accurate Account of the different Soils, burning Moun-
tains, Minerals, Vegetables, Metals, Stones, Beafts, Birds, and Fithes;
together with the Difpofition, Cuftoms, and Manner of Living of
the Inhabitants. Interfperfed with an Account of the Ifland, by
Mr. ANDERSON, late Burgo-mafter of Hamburgh.

To which is added,
A METEOROLOGICAL TABLE, with REMARKS,

Tranflated from the DANISH ORIGINAL of

Mr. N. HORREBOW.

And illuftrated with a New General Map of the Ifland.

L ON. . mo NV:

Printed for A. LINDE in Catherine-Street, D. Witson, and T, Duruam in the Strand,
G. Keiru in Grace-church-ftreet, «P, Davey and B. Law in Ave-mary-lane,
T. FreLD in Cheapfide, C, HENDERSON at the Royal-Exchange, and J. Srapres in
Stationers-court.

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KRAGE

CELAND is next to. Great-Britain, the largeft ifland in
Europe, and in my humble opinion, deferves in a great mea-
fure to be refcued from the obfcurity in which it has long drooped ;
fo much the more, as there is fearce a country the world has
lefs knowledge, or has conceived a lefs genuine idea of, chiefly
by reafon of the accounts publifhed of it, which are far from
being true, or to be depended upon. ‘The Icelanders themfelves
have been as careful as any people on the globe, in noting down
in a fimple, plain and honeft manner, all the remarkable occur-
rences that have happened in the ifland fince its farft difcovery,
and their firft fettling in it; the former of which is fuppofed to
be in the year 861, and the latter in 874. It were to be wifhed,
that from their accounts any one had compiled a hiftory of Ice-
land; as fuch, no doubt, would convey a true idea of @ za/-
cente republicd : but however careful they were in collecting, it
muft be faid, that they have been fomewhat remifs in fatisfying
the public with an accurate defcription of their country ; for the
{mall treatifes of Arngrimo Jone, and Theodoro Thorlacio, which
are conducted in the difputative form of controverfy, cannot be
looked upon as complete performances, though prettily written.
This work is therefore likely to be left for foreigners, though the
natives are certainly beft qualified for it: and indeed, it can be
no eafy tafk for a foreigner, if we confider the extent of the
country, and the many ftrange phenomena it contains, which make
it almoft impoflible for him to execute the fame properly, unlefs by
living there a confiderable time, he has made himfelf mafter of
the language, and informed himfelf faithfully of every particu-
lar. Notwithtt. inding thefe difficulties, ftrangers and foreigners
have

iv

T BH ECB IR SFP AVLER

have thought themfelves qualified to give a defcription of this
ifland ; fome who had only been a-fhort time in the ifland,
having clapt together a hiftory in a hurry; and others who
had never feen the place, having collected all the accounts
they could receive from ‘travellers, upon which they founded
their hiftory.

Of the firft, fort isthe famous Blefkenius, who Jay a little
while on the coaft in a Dutch fhip, was two or three times
afhore, and hardly underftood any thing of the language. This

gentleman after his return, publifhed a fmall treatife on Ice-

land, or rather a falfe and {Candalous libel, which was refuted

in another {mall treatife publifhed by Arngrimo Jonz, and in-
titled Anatome Blefheniana.

Of the fecond fort is thé learned Mr. John Anderfon, for-
merly farft burgo-mafter in Hamburg, who, as he himfelf ac-
knowledges in his preface, had compiled his hiftory from ac-
counts of mafters of fhips, fuper-cargoes, factors, &c. who
traded there, and whom he invited to his houfe from Gluck-
ftad, and by interrogating them, and fhewing them his collee-
tion of natural curiofities, induced them to give him, as he
imagined, a faithful and circumftantial account of all they
knew, cither by experience or hearfay, relatively to the natural,
political, or commercial ftate of Iceland, together with the
various occupations and manner of life of the inhabitants. Thus
it was, that all he could difcover of them, or otherwife have as
a piece of ‘intelligence to be depended upon, he has thrown to-
gether, in a crude, indigefted treatife, and fo tranimitted it to

the public. Hence we may fee the foundation his performance

leans upon, and to fhew, that the deceafed good gentleman, did not
intend to prefént the public with any thing that fhould convey
a difadvantagious or falfe idea of the ifland, he afferts, that
what he writes is true. As a fenfible and curious man, he had
a ftrong defire, and gave himfelf a great deal of trouble to
learn Srnbthins more new and more important, as alfo more
complete and better grounded, concerning this great, and for
many reafons, remarkable ifland, in lieu of the old and imper=
fe& accounts then extant, which abound with romantic tales

and

KER RR EF AG Ee

and falfities, as he declares in his preface: but as he unwittily
addrefled himfelf to very improper perfons, in order to acquire
the defired intelligence of that ifland, the old falfe accounts and
romantic tales, ftill fubfift with, their additions, the author’s
good intention is fruftrated, and the public deceived.

Matters of fhips, fuper-cargoes, and the like, from whom
the late burgo-mafter Anderfon had his whole account, cannot
be deemed competent judges in this refpect, though even fome
of them fhould be allowed underftanding enough to examine
into the natural and political ftate of the country. It is natu-
tal to think, that their employments deprive them of the op-
portunity of coming at any intelligence to be depended upon:
for they lie in a harbour in one corner or other of the ifland, and
are fo bufy all the while, fome with merchandizing, and others
with loading and unloading their fhips, that they have little or
no leifure time to examine into the nature and conftitution of
the country, much lefs into the occupations of the inhabitants,
" who while the company’s fhips lie there, have nothing to do but
to take care of their hay and harveft: they do not fifh much at
that time, becaufe they cannot fo well dry the fifth: and fome
of them are a good deal employed in trading with the mer-
chants, and keep conftantly at the factories. If then thefe
mafters of fhips and others, cannot judge properly of the con-
ftitution of the country, by a better reafon they may be thought
little converfant with the air of the climate, rt the degrees of
heat and cold, fo much the more, as thofe that trade to Gluck-
ftad are there only in the fummer. Thofe who gave an ac-
count that it was fo hot, that they were obliged to go almoft
naked, had that day, I fuppofe, great quantities of fifh to weigh
off, and fend aboard their refpeétive fhips. On the other hand,
perhaps fome of them being obliged by fome accident hap-
pening to the fhip, to winter there againft their will, became fo
unhappy, and out of humour, that all things feemed bad to
them, or much worfe than they really were, and confequently
deprived them of all inclination to bring matters to an impar-+
tial ferutiny. Hence may be derived the accounts of long per-
petual "piercing colds, &c. whereas neither heat nor cold can be

2 deter-

vi

Pr PRA TF AGH i

determined fo well. by external fenfation, as by thermomical ob-
fervations, the only proper teft in this refpe.

Thefe reafons may evince the extent of their experience, or
rather how very flight it was,» which, no doubt, they difplay-
ed in glaring colours, when they had the honour to be invited
and received fo politely by the firft burgo-mafter of the great
city of Hamburg. They thouglit it incumbent on them at
leaft, to inform this learned gentleman, of all that he feemed
defirous to know, and they would not appear fo fimple or de-
void of curiofity, as not to give fome account of every parti-
cular in the ifland, which perhaps they made feveral voyages
to, and confequently full of their own knowledge and experi-
ence, could not help telling fome things they knew, and others |
they knew nothing of.

In this manner the late burgo-mafter Anderfon’s credulity
has been impofed upon, not doubting, but all thefe accounts
were authentic and inconteftable, as being received. from per-
fons who vifited the ifland every year, and had collected all
their intelligence at firft hand, and from their own knowledge
and experience. As he alfo knew, that the public had little or
no knowledge of this remote country, he was willing to oblige
them in fome meafure, by giving his manufcript to be perufed
by every one that defired it, and his upright and laudable in-
tentions were at laft fully completed by his heirs printing and
publifhing the fame.

This work, afterwards tranflated from the High-Dutch into
the Danifh language, was well received and read in both, with
a great deal of pleafure, and befides, was believed to be a per-
fect illuftration or genuine account of that country. Though
it muft be allowed, that it abounds with many pretty and inge-
nious notes and remarks, anfwerable to the character of fo learns

ed and admirable an author, yet it is certain, that the facts on

which it is grounded, are for the greater part falfe, and expofe
the ignorance, the miftaken ideas, and withal the bad difpofi-
tions of ‘the hearts of thofe againft the Icelanders, who foifted
fuch fpurious accounts upon the late Mr. Anderfon’s credu-
lity,

To

RHE ww REF AA GE h

To undeceive the public, and make void the fevere and falfe
accufations contained in that book againft this ifland, I have
made it my bufinefs to publifh this treatife, which contains a
very faithful account of the ifland, the air, the people, and
their various occupations. In order to this, I have followed
Mr. Anderfon, article by article, declaring what is falfe in each,
relating what is true and matter of fact, and introducing a va-

riety of new things, of which he has taken no manner of notice. "

As his account of Iceland is entirely falfe, and conveys a wrong
idea of the country, and every thing belonging to it, it was
highly necefiary that the public fhould have the, affair cleared
up, and placed in a true light, notwithftanding the name of
this learned and admirable man, which gives fuch a fandtion to
his book, that fcarce any doubt of the truth of the facts al-
ledged in it; though I dare fay, that had, that worthy man
known how he had been abufed, he never would have. fuffered
it to appear. |

, OF a different nature is this treatife. which 1 oy give to the
slits concerning Iceland. It is founded upon what. I. myfelf
have feen and experienced, duri ing ‘the two years: I. lived in the
ifland ; the hiftorical part of the events that happened before my
arriving there, I received from worthy:and Icarned people in the
country, who have been, eye-witnefles themfelves of them, and
were capable of giving better accounts than the common people,
from whom the mafters of fhips or fuper-cargoes, had their
intelligence, I made feyeral obfervations with an excellent Paris
quadrant, and afcertained the elevation of the pole, by means
of a lunar eclipfe, which happened December 1750. By a
telefcope accurately. furnifhed with a micrometer, I took the
exact latitude of the ifland, and having determined it in a nicer
manner than it ever was before, found that Iceland lies almoft four
degrees more to the caft than it has hitherto been computed.

On the barometer and thermometer,..I made obfervations du-
ring two years, by which the weight of the atmofphere, and
the degrees of heat and cold, were difeovered, and found to be
quite the reverfe of what was imagined. In fhort, I had the
happinefs to make fuch meteorological and phyfical obferva-

tions,

vi

Vili

Pere eR SR Re ee

tions, in regard to the air and earth, that many things are now
brought to light, which before were either buried in obfcurity,
or hinted at in a confufed and imperfeé&t manner.

Such is this treatife, I now have the honour to lay before
the public. It is not to be confidered as a complete defcription
of the ifland, which none can be capable of effecting, unlefs
they have lived there a confiderable time, are verfed in the ne-
ceflary fciences, and have a fufficient fupport ; but it contains
fuch an account of the country, as is litterally true, and may
be depended upon, and which at prefent the public may be fa-
tisfied with, till that performance appears to anfwer the pom-
pous title taken notice of in the * journal of the Aterati, which
I fincerely wifh any one was capable of executing.

As this treatife therefore is of a different complexion to any
other hitherto publifhed, fo alfo is the annexed map. All others
of this kind are far from being exaé, more efpecially that
publifhed with Mr. Anderfon’s treatife. As to the annexed, it
was carefully copied and taken from a large original map of
Iceland, the work of fome ‘years, and done by fome’ of the
officers of his Majefty’s corps of engineers, who were fent for
this purpofe to Iceland. In 1734, it was completed by cap-
tain Knopff, and by his Majefty’s gracious command, de-
livéred to me, that I might publifh a’ copy of it with this hi-
ftory. This map, which was never before publifhed, is the ex-
acteft of any extant of Iceland, and I do not doubt but that
the public will receive it with a great deal of pleafure and fa-
tisfaction.

A few remarks have been made upon the map by way of
introduction: to the a and to render it more plain and
diftiné.

The meteorological aboteevations which I imide during my |

two years ftay there, are printed at the end of the treatife,
with remarks and explanations, how they were performed.

* A periodical or public paper fo called.

‘Remarks

SR PRs AB E

Remarks on the map.

I before obferved, that the annexed map was the work of
fome of his Majefty’s engineers, and completed by captain

Knopff. No alteration is made in it, except the placing of

* Beffefted according to my obfervations in Iceland, in its true
latitude and longitude, and confequently afcertaining the fitua-
tion of the whole ifland, by removing it four degrees more to
the eaft, than has hitherto been known.

The phyfical length of Iceland, as I have fet it down in the
treatife, is about feven hundred and twenty miles, but in this
map it appears to be fomething lefs. However, none I fup-
pofe, are able to determine which is the jufter. My calculation,
in regard to the length of the ifland, is founded partly upon
fome ancient Icelandifh writers, and partly upon the reckonings
of the inhabitants, according to their Thing-manna-leid, which is

a certain length of ground that a man travels each day when
he is on a journey to the aflizes. Thefe are not a certain num-
ber of meafured miles; but a Thing-manna-leid, according to the
acceptation of the word, makes fometimes thirty, and fome-
times forty-eight Englifh miles, and in confequence of this way
of meafuring, they make the ifland one hundred and twenty
Danifh, or feven hundred and twenty Englifh miles long.

The map is divided into four quarters, as eaft, fouth, weft and
north, which are marked with double dots, in contradiftindtion
to the divifions with fingle ones, which are the fyffels, or cer-
tain diftricts under a fyffelman or tax-gatherer, who is a juftice
of the peace.

The names of the harbours and principal places, to make
them more intelligible, I have put in the Danifh language, but
fuch as are eafy to underftand, I have left as they were, as thing-
ey, eyefiord, ey fignifying an ifland.

In order that any place may be found out expeditioufly «in the
map, I have drawn angles through the degrees, which are let-
tered at the top and bottom, and figures in roman charaéters
on the fides, and have made an alphabetical table of the names

b of

To E PR AF A Boe

of all the places on the rhap, with the letters and numbers
prefixed, to fhew where each place lies, which table for ex- |
planation fake is bound up with it.

An ALPHABETICAL TABLE
Of the names of the places on the map.

The letters ftand at top and bottom, the numbers on the
fides, and the place fought in the angle on the map.

| A,
Akur ey C. IL

Vide the printed table for the reft.

Pio bbuiks

Ei. Qi cake Ba NS:

Girne: f RT,
. twat D, its fituation and extent.
CAP. i.
Concerning the earth and the different foils.
CHR AP TH.
The manner of travelling in this country.

GR A.B... TV.

In what manner it is inhabited.

CH [Av Pio.

Concerning earthquakes in this ifland.

Fe, A OV

Concerning fiery eruptions and volcanos in the earth.

BRA Ps VOL.

Concerning the burning mountains.

CH AL.” Vill.

Concerning the mountain Hecla.

Page I

(RB (

15

CG HA P,

Xi

‘XI

THE CONTENTS.

GÆL AP. “ie

A brief and general defcription-of Iceland with regard to its
fize, and the peculiar properties of the earth and mountains.

‘ea otal
C HA Pre. _
Concerning a lake which takes fire three times a year. 19
CHAP. XL
Concerning the hot waters. . | 20

Cobh AP SKER

Concerning the property and quality of the rocks and moun-
tains, in which probably marble may be found. | 25

CHAP. XIII.
Concerning cryftals. | oe"
CHAP. XIV.
Concerning pumice ftone. ibid.
CHA Pee

Concerning the metallic ores found in this country. ibid.

CHAP. XVI.

Concerning rofin and turf. | 27
CHAP. XVII.

Concerning agates. 28
C.H A Pie WH

Concerning fulphur. ibid.
CHAP. XIX.

Concerning falt, whether any be found in Iceland. I
CHAP.

THE CONTENTS,

GH. A.B Xx.

Concerning forefts and trees.

CEP A FB, XI.

Concerning the pafture-land and grafs,

CARA PP; XR

page 32

34

Whether there are wholfome herbs and roots in this ifland, a5

CHAP. XXII.

Concerning the fruits of the earth.

GALA PR. OXTV,

Concerning the cultivating of the land.

KÆR Mh BX MY.

Concerning fea-weeds, and vegetables of the ocean.

Ci FE ALP, XX VE

Whether there are wild beafts in this ifland.

HAP SXVE

Concerning the fox.

C FE A. Ply SAVE,

Concernin g horfes.

ibe ALB. / XXX

Concerning the fheep.

Ci Eom RD SAM

Concerning goats.

OlTRA. Pl sXXXD

Concerning cows and bullocks.

36

38

41

42

43

44,

45

SI

52
C His

xa

THE CONTENTS.

Gat A PB. PRX.
Concerning their milk, curds and whey.

GEA. Pree XT.
Concerning butter and cheele.

CHAP. XXXIV.

page 53

ibid,

The manner of flaughtering their cattle, and curing the meat. 54

CoH A Ps: KXAXV;
Concerning their hogs.
Crh A. Ps . KAEVI.

Concerning tame fowl.

CHAP. XXXVIL
Concerning wild land-fowl.
| CHAP.. XXXVI.
Concerning birds of prey.
GHA Pil AAAI.
Concerning the eagle.
C H Ac BE SØSER

Concerning the hawk.

BH AA #. AXEL
Concerning the falcon.

GER A oe: ed,
Concerning owls. |

CHAP. XLIIL

Concerning ravens.

55
56
ibid.
oF

ibid,

THE CONTENT $,

GH A P..- XLIV.
Concerning the fhore, or coaft-birds. page 61
CH AYP; XLV,
Concerning the fhore-birds that are fit to eat, 63
GH A-P,-XEVi,
Concerning the wild geefe. 64.
CHAP. XLVII.
Concerning wild ducks, and down-birds. ibid.
SCA BF OREVIL,

Concerning the diver or the plungeon. 67

Gas AP ALEX,

Concerning the lomen, or northern diver. | ibid.
le al, at ae Oe
Concerning the geir or vulture. 68
| CHAP. LI.’
Concerning the fhore-birds nefts. ibid.
CH ArcP.s Lik
Concerning the fhore-birds eggs. 69
Of AP.) Lilt:
Concerning the vaft quantity: of fhore-fith, 79

GR AR, LE.
Concerning the fhore-fifh, or fuch as in general keep aleng the
coaft. 7%
2 i Ae. Ce

Concerning herrings. ibid.

Go Pe vend’.

XY

xvi THE CONTENTS.

CH AP: EVE

Concerning the cod. |. * page 73
CE AP. GVH.

Concerning the ling. "gå 189
G: BRA? . DV:

Concerning the haddock. | 81
CHAP. LIX

Concerning the whiting, ibid.

C;H-A,P. abe.
Concerning the fort of cod which the Icelanders.call.tifling. 82

C.H AP. ohh
Concerning the cole-fifh. ibid.

GR UAL PRP. UX.

Concerning flounders. | 83

Cw AgPy HT.

Concerning the turbot. , ibid.

G-H.- A-P, 5 BXTY.

Concerning mackarel. sth
GH. ASP SER

Concerning the whale. 85
G Hid ‘P. “SUAVE

Concerning the porpus. | 86
C H-A PB. wih avi.

Concerning the fea-calf. 87

THE CONTENTS.

CHAP. LXVIN,
Concerning the fword-filh, or faw-fith.

CHAP. LXIX.

Concerning fea-bulls, and fea-cows.

CHAP. LXxX.
Concerning the feal.

CHAP. LXXI.
Concerning frefh water fith.

CHAP. LXXIL
Concerning fnakes.

wa CHAP. LXXUl.
Concerning infects and vermin.

CHA PP. > LEX
Concerning mice.

CHAP. LXXV.

Concerning the fun when above and below the horizon.

S\e8 A Bp LVI, . .

Concerning the aurora borealis, or north light.

CHAP. LXXVIIL
Concerning thunder and meteors.

CHAP. LXXVIII.

Concerning parhelions, or mock funs. .

CHAP. LXXIX.

Concerning the feafons of the year.

CHAP. LXXxX,

Concerning the weather.

page 88

ibid.

«ibid.

8g

ot

‘ibid.

92

ibid.

94

95

98

97

99

d G HA P.

XVIu

RHE COMQEN FS:

CH, AUP... UXXXI.
Concerning the ebb and flood} ~or the tides.

CH A PJ LXXXII.
Concerning the fea water.

CHA P. ALKXXIIIL

page 100;

IOs

Concerning the climate of Iceland, and the conftitution of the’

inhabitants. 102
| Cr A Sealy,
Concerning the prevailing difeafes in Iceland. 105
Ct A Po aay.
ee ad bring up their children. 106
C H A P. ixxxvi. |
Concerning their manner of acelin viduals. 107,
So IC
CHE. AJ, XXVI
Cc joncerning the Acarcity of bread. | TIO.
Cc H A Ka g LAXX VIII.
Concer ning their drink, 11
Cc H A A IXKAX.
Gaprerning their dress 113.
| GHA P.. Fo
oon their habitations. : 116
C H i: P “XCL.
Gopceming their genius, Std ee difpolition of mind. LIQ.
Cc HUA P., 4 XCII. .,
Waether they delight i in learning any thing., 120

oa a
Å
A 4. ~5a -

CHAP.

RHE @ON & EN Tis:

GAA P. AXCIm
Concerning their occupations.
GHAP. XCIV.

Concerning their cattle-trade.

EDDA B AXGV.
Concerning the Icelanders tannery.

Ch A PP... XCVIL
Concerning fome other of their employments.

CHAP. XCVHI.
Concerning their manner of merchandizing.
| CHAP. XCVII
Concerning accompts and påyments.

CHAP. XCIX,
Concerning the goods they export.

Cn le "AN RER OR
Concerning the goods they import.

eA DB CI,
Concerning their weights and meafures.

KRAER, CHL.

Concerning their religion.

GHA P. CII

Concerning the ecclefiaftical ftate of this ifland.

C H'A P. CIV.
Concerning their churches.

Ochi AB CV
Concerning the clergy.

page 122

123

ibid,

124

E26

127

128

ibid.

129

130

ibid.

132

133
G HA PP,

VIN

XX

THE: CON TENAMS

CHAP. CVI. |

Concerning the education of their children. page 136
CHAP. CVII.

Concerning the vices of the Icelanders. 137
CHAP. CVIII.

Concerning their nuptial ceremonies. . 138

CHAP. CIX.
Whether the Icelanders are fond of the game of chefs. 139

CHAP. CX,

Concerning their manner of dancing. ibid.
CHAP. CXI.
Concerning their civil government. 140 —

CHAP. CXII.

Concerning the reft of his Majefty’s fervants or officers in the ifland.

ibid.
CHAP. CXIII.

Concerning their laws. 142
CH AP.) Gay

Concerning executions, or punifhments by death. 144
CHAP. CXV.

Conclufion. ibid.

LÆLÆ LE LE SELE LES ÆLDRE DERE Rd
EEK OKSE SORA Sih nettene ten, moat fide tot Ars

“EK OK OK COKE FOK
[oe ae ke wee ee alia Ree Ree Re she eee Ge

RPh ihe Pbpb hth pik heheh hl PPh ge Siblebtiob bb bbb bob dob betes

SEPERATE SP EEE ETE
FEEL SELE ES AEE EAE ER EERE EEE EER RI

T HE

NA TURAE HIST ORY
QF

Pi Oe Migr unbsting odo: IN ids

CHAPTER I.

Its Situation and Extent.

ES CELAND is an ifland in the Atlantic ocean, which,
36 I SØ by the niceft obfervations I could make with a very
es\We9 good French quadrant, from a feat of his Danifh ma-

jefty, fituate in the fouth part of this ifland, and called
Beffefted ; lies 64 deg. 4 min. north latitude. By a lunar
eclipfe I took the longitude, which from the meridian of London
is 25 degrees weft, being 4 degrees more to the eaft than it has
hitherto been computed. ‘This difcovery, I hope, will be of ufe
to thofe that navigate thefe feas. To be particular in the length
and breadth would be a very difficult matter, by reafon of its
requiring very long and tedious journies to make the neceflary
obfervations. The length from eaft to weft may be computed at
120 Danifh or 720 Englifh miles, and the breadth in the
narroweft parts at 41 Danifh or 246 Englifh, though in moft
parts from north to fouth it is 60 Danifh or 360 Englith.
Thus the breadth may fafely be reckoned at 50 Danifh or 300
Englifh miles. This calculation, I am certain, is very moderate.
Mr. Anderfon, late burgo-mafter of Hamburg, wrote and pub-
lifhed fome time ago an account of this ifland with a map an-

R nexed

2

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.

nexed to it, which takes in ra degrees in length and 3 and a half
in breadth *. |
CA PR

Concerning the Earth and the different Soils.
'Y FEY probable it is, that this ifland has undergone a confi

derable change by the univerfal deluge, as well as many other
places: for it is an uneven country covered with rocks and rugged
mountains, much like Norway and a great part of Italy +. The
Alps and Pyrenean mountains make on the Italian borders a great
tra& of land. In Europe we find many countries, whofe Bie ap-
pears as irregular as Iceland, with vaft mountains and valleys.
The coaft is not crowded with little iflands and rocks like Nor-
way, but for the better part lies expofed to the ocean. To the
fouth, but very few appear ; and thefe are called (Fugle Skiarene) or
Birds Rocks, becaufe birds breed on them in abundance. At the
entrance of fome of the harbours, particularly Oreback, Grindevig
and Boefand, are many little rocks and banks in the fea near
the coait, which failors ought to avoid, as alfo in the midft of
the entrance into the harbour of Hafnefiorden, otherwife a very
fine and fafe harbour 1.

Some few iflands lying in the fea off the coaft, are very fertile,
and bare excellent grafs. They are not inhabited. Moft of them
lie weftward from Bredefiord, and extend a little beyond Dale-
fyffel, in which diftri& are many of fuch valuable and important
iflands. Very few appear to the north and fouth; Papoe, I be-
lieve, is the only one to the eaft. In the interior parts of the
ifland are very extenfive heaths and plains, together with vaft |

* Mr. Anderfon in his defcription of Iceland publifhed at Hamburg, fays, that
the ifland of Iceland lies pretty far up in the north fea, and is generally reckoned
feventy Danifh or four hundred and twenty Englifh miles long, and forty-one Danifh
or two hundred and forty-fix Englifh broad. This our author, even by Mr. Anderfon’s
maps, proves to be wrong, as alfo that it does not lie in the north fea, but in the
Atlantic ocean, the north fea, as he fays, ending at Hetland.

+ Mr. Anderfon calls it an irregular fpot abounding with a multiplicity of barren
Mountains.

t The fame Author fays the coaft is covered all round with a multitude of
broken rocks, or as he calls them (blind) fcarce peeping above the furface of the
water.

| He alfo alledges that the interior parts of this iNand abound with vaft high rocks

and mountains, fhattered and torn from each other; always covered with ice and
fnow, and uninhabitable by the human {pecies,

I mountains,

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAWD,

mountains, many of which are always covered with ice and {now,
The greater part of them are paflable, and have roads over them,
where fome hundreds of horfes and men. pafs every year. Moft
of the northern people travel acrofs the large chain of rocks that
run along the country, and fetch their winter ftock of dried fifh
from the fouth and weft parts. .The mountains in the common
road are not fo difficult to pafs as thofe on the Alps and Pyrenees,
On the top of fome of thefe mountains are plains of twenty
or twenty-five Englifh miles extent. There are alfo in feveral
places large tracts of land with good grafs for pafture, and great
lakes abounding with variety of fine fifh, and in fome places
fand ground. Some of the mountains, which at all times are
covered with ice and fnow, are called Jokeler. From the tops a
dark, futty, thick, ftinking water continually flows like a great
river. Thefe Jokeler are not the higheft part of the mountains,
. there being many near them much higher, yet without fhow con-
tinually on them, This may probably be owing to the nitrous
guality of the earth. There appears a very extraordinary pheno-
menon in thefe places, which may. rather belong toa metaphyfical
than hiftorical defcription. However, it will not be amifs to give
a brief account of it in the ftrange property of thefe places called
Jokells, which inereafe in bulk, and again diminifh and change
their appearance almoft every day. For inflance, paths. are feen
in the fand, made by travellers that pafied the day before,
When followed, they lead to a place, like a large pond of
lake, frozen over, very dangerous to pafs, and not there the day
before. This obliges travellers to go two or three Englifh miles
round. Then they come again to the very path oppofite to that they
were obliged to leave. In a few days the interrupted path appears
again, all the ice and water having, as it were, vanifhed. Some-
times travellers are bold enough to venture over the ice rather
than go fo much about. But it often happens that their horfes
falling into the great breaks which are fometimes in the ice, it is
not in their power to fave them. A few days after thefe very
horfes are feen lying on the top of the flat ice, where before was
a hole feveral fathom deep, but now clofed up and frozen, The
ice muft therefore in this intermediate time melt away, and the
water freeze again. Hence it may be concluded, that there is

noe

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.

no fure road round and over thefe mountains, but by thus conti=:
nually pafling and repafling. Sometimes travellers meet with’
accidents, but not very often. Thefe kind of Jokells are only in
Skaftefields Syffel, a fouth part of the country. Hecla and the
weftern Jokells are of another kind, and do not change their ap-
pearance in this manner. Thefe confift of many ftony rocks and
mountains. Moft of the latter produce fome vegetable.

CG HA Peek.

The manner of travelling in this country.

HERE has not been a fiery eruption from any of thefe
mountains, neither has the ground taken fire fince the year

1730. This very feldom happens, and even when it does, it
occupies but a {mall tract at a time. Travellers cannot therefore
be much obftructed by it. The rocks fometimes crack and are
rent afunder here as in all other mountainous places, and by
falling, chance fometimes to cover a good piece of ground, and
bury a hut or farm”, This alfo -happens but very feldom. If
in a road, it is foon cleared away and the paflage made free.
They are obliged to tranfport every thing on the backs of horfes.
Carts and waggons are not ufed, though in many places they may.
As an inftance of the goodnefs of fome of the roads, I have
known thofe, that in a fummer’s day, from the rifing of the fun,
to the fetting, have rode 120 Englifh miles, and that acrofs the
mountains from north to fouth. The annual circuits of the
judges, their attendants, and baggage are performed on horfe-
back. Some of them from the eaftward make a circuit of up-
wards of 400 Englifh miles. I only mention thefe particulars to
fhew that the roads are tolerable, and that the inhabitants may
tranfport their goods and wares to and from any part of the
ifland. When the Iceland company’s fhips arrive, the people flock
from all parts of the ifland to purchafe their commodities. From
Hoolum upwards of 100 horfes fet out every year for the fouth-

+ Mr. Anderfon fays that the whole country is overfpread with ftones and broken
rocks; that there is no poffibility of ufing carts or waggons ; that the people mutt
travel moftly afoot, and that the beft part is hardly fit for a horfe, it being exceflive
dangerous either to climb, ride or walk,

ward

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.

ward to buy up dried fifh. Other parts according to their abili-
ties, fend 10, 20 or 30 horfes, for the fame kind of trade.
From the north country they generally carry butter and a quan-
tity of their woollen manufactures to barter them in the fouth
country againft fifh, by which means feveral thoufand horfes
annually pafs and repafs thefe great mountains *.

C FLSA _P... IV.

In what manner it is inhabited.

HIS ifland is not very populous +, although the natives, as

well as foreigners who fettle among them, feldom leave

the country; and thofe that do, have as ftrong a propenfity to
return as any people whatever to their native place. What
chiefly wafted this country of inhabitants, was a peftilential difeafe
that raged in the fourteenth century, called the f forte dod, or
black death. It almoft fwept away every foul from off the
ifland. . None fcarce remaining to relate the circumftances of the
dreadful calamity, it was accordingly left out in the annals of
Iceland, where nothing elfe remarkable is omitted. Since its
being firft peopled, thofe that efcaped this great devaftation faved
themfelves by taking refuge in the mountains, and by tradition
relate, that the low and flat country was covered with a thick
fog during the time of this plague. This difeafe extended itfelf
to Norway, Sweden and Denmark and carried off fo many thou-
fands in thofe countries, that they could not {pare people for this
|. However the few remaining inhabitants fince increafed
to, I believe, about fourfcore thoufand fouls; which is but a
fmall number for a country of 700 miles extent, and therefore,

colony

* Mr. Anderfon fays that none take the trouble of clearing away the broken |
rocks and ftone-heaps that fall into the roads; becaufe the inhabitants here, as in
moft barren and defolate mountainous countries, have little or no occafion, much
lefs encouragement to travel.

+ The fame Author is of opinion that the reafon why Iceland is but thinly inha-
bited, is owing to its being from time to time afflicted with earthquakes and devatfta-
tions, which ftill continue.

TI Bifhop Pontoppidan takes notice of this difeafe in his natural hiftory of
Norway.

| Mr. Anderfon fays the inhabited part of this ifland is chiefly along the coaft, or
at moft not farther than thirty Fnglith miles from it, and there only a few fmall
houles. As for any towns of trade, they are not at all to be met with.

hj

not

6

NATURAL HISTORY: of ICELAND.

not one tenth part of this ifland is properly inhabited or cultivated,
Befides this plague or forte dod, feveral other calamities raged at

fundry times. In 1697, 1698, and 1699, many died of hunger,

and in one only parifh 120. In 1707, the fmall pox carried off »
upwards of 20,000, and was fucceeded by a fort of plague, The
{mall pox is very fatal here. Many other reafons may be added
why this place is ufually thin of people: but as this is not owing
immediately to any property in the earth or quality in the air,
we fhall omit fpeaking farther on this head. The greateft number
of the inhabitants live near the fea along the coaft. A great
many notwithftanding live‘{cattered about 100 or 120 Enolith
miles from the fea. There are alfo feveral trading towns or fac-
tories. At each of the twenty-two harbours of this ifland is a
trading town or factory, where the company of merchants trade
with the inhabitants. Thefe trading towns are not to be com-
pared with places of that denomination in other countries ; for they
confift only of three or four dwelling houfes for the merchants of
the Iceland company, with a fhop, warehoufe and kitchen. This,

which in the main, is no more than a factory, they call a trading

town; the reft of their buildings about the country are fingle
houfes or hutts with a yard round about, and a field contiguous
which they call (tun), The reft of their land the proprietor lets
out fometimes to different people to build on. ‘Thefe proprietors
are called Hiauleyemend : for Hia in the Iceland language is ear,
and imports a people, who have grounds near their houfes. The
houfe is called Hiauleye. They are alfo diftinguifhed from thofe
that have only hutts, as being poffefled of ground and grafs to
keep a cow or more, which the others have not. This manner
takes place over the whole country, fo that no villages are met

‘with. The intire country is divided into parifhes, and each
houfe ftands feparate. However, in fome places may be feen

20, 30, and even 50 buildings with their grounds, befides hutts.
If thefe can be deemed villages, there are many of the kind in
the ifland. This is not the only country inhabited in this manner.
The ifland of Bornholm in the Baltic, a fine fpot of ground has
not a village in it. In many of the Danifh provinces each farm
ftands detached, and I cannot help obferving, that it feems moft
convenient for every farm houfe to ftand apart, and to have its.

ground

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.

ground contiguous, if for nothing more than to prevent the acci-
dents of fire from fpreading. In mountainous countries it is alfo
more rational to build where a fpot of ground is found fit for
culture, than to ftand for form and order”, ‘That the inhabi-
tants are more numerous towards the fea-coaft than the interior
parts of the country is owing to the fifheries, which yield a
better maintenance than the produce of the land, the cultivating
of which has not been much attended to fince the dreadful plague.

CuRaADPs NV.

Concerning earthquakes in this ifland.

HERE are but two places where the earth is fulphureous,
namely, in the diftrid of Hufevig and to the fouth near
Kryfevig. It is true, in fome other parts, where warm baths
have been difcovered, the earth retains a kind of fulphureous
fmell. The inhabitants informed me that fometimes they had
earthquakes, but that they feldom do any great mifchief. Dur-
ing the two years I was there I felt none, though I was once
told there had been one. I fuppofe the fhock was but flight +.
To the fouthward in Rangervalle and Arnefs parifhes earthquakes
are perceived, and fometimes in Guldbringe and the parifhes ad-
jacent; but hardly ever weftward or northward. There have
been inftances of houfes fhook down, but the inhabitants ufually
fave themfelves. I don’t find, that the greateft fhocks they ever
had, were ever attended with any eruption of fire or water out
of the bowels of the earth. Clefts have been perceived in the
rocks and chafms in the earth, and it is very probable that fuch
have been occafioned by earthquakes; but from all that I could
gather it feems that earthquakes are not there very common ;
neither do any extraordinary accidents happen by them, if com-
pared with thofe in Italy, Sicily and the American iflandst. As
many

* Mr. Anderfon fays that the old fafhioned way of building continues to this day,
without any regular order.

+ The fame Author afferts, that this ifand is but as one rock full of deep holes and
caverns, mines, minerals, and burning vapours ; therefore the moft likely place in the
world for earthquakes. He adds, that they often happen, and fometimes very dreadful.

f The fame Author gives the following account of a dreadful earthquake that hap-
pened in 1726, at Skageftrand in the north part of this ifland, ‘There was, fays he,

a violent

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.

many fabulous ftories have been told about this country and the
dreadful earthquakes which happened in it, I made it my bufi-
nefs to get the beft intelligence I could in this refped. In the
year 1720, near Skageftrand in the parifh of Hunnevatn, a rock
of an enormous fize, probably undermined by length of time
and a continual current of melted {now from it, fell down upon
a fubterjacent valley, and made a moft horrid noife. ‘The valley
was remarkable for very fine pafture land; a rivulet ran through
it, and a cottage ftood not far off. This great rock filled the
valley, crufhed the cottage, and killed every foul in it but one.
The courfe of the water being hereby ftopt, the rivulet overflowed
all the ccuntry about, till it rofe fo high as to flow over the rock.
Then it fell into its ufual channel, but on one fide all the
low land is fill overflowed, not unlike a fpacious lake. ‘This
heavy fall muft have fhook the earth confiderably all around, and
the perfon that efcaped muft have heard a great noife. The neigh-
bouring people might very likely take this to be an earthquake, but
it certainly was nat,

CHAP. VI |
Concerning fiery eruptions and volcanos in the earth.

HAVE before obferved that fulphur is only found in two

parts of the ifland, in the diftria& of Hufevig and Kryfevig.

The laft place affords alfo fome faltpetre. It were to be wifhed
one could difcover more of it in other parts of the ifland. Ex-
cepting thefe two places, fulphur is fearce found in any other
part *. I have even ftood by to have deep holes dug in the earth in
different parts, but never difcovered fulphur or faltpetre any where

elfe. The turf here has a fulphureous fort of fmell, as it has in.

moft countries +. Here are alfo various forts of earth, clayey,

a violent earthquake in the night time, and a very great rock funk into the earth to
an immenfe depth, which afterwards was filled with water, and became a very fpa-
cious lake. About the diftance of eight or nine Englifh miles from this place there
ftood a lake, which the neighbouring inhabitants imagined bottomlefs. This at the
fame inftant became dry, and the bottom thereof rofe up higher than the adjacent land.

* Mr. Anderfon fays that when they have dug five or fix inches deep in the
ground, they find intire lumps of fulphur and a deal of faltpetre, which deftroys
the fertility of the earth.

+ This Author alfo alledges, that the earth often takes fire by the fermentation of
various combuftibles, as of iron ore, faltpetre, fulphur, &c. This fire runs fre-
quently along the furface of the earth. It likewife burns underground, and makes the
earth quite unferviceable.

4. fandy,

: -
oe
ee 1

~ =
hunden muias

* Ea
——— ee

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.

fandy, ftony, and very good mould in many places fit for vegeta-
tion when properly cultivated. This I know by experience ås
fhall appear in the fequel. | In 1728, in the parifh df Norder-
fyflel, fire happening to iffue out of a mountain, fet the fulphu-
reous earth around in flames, melted and made it run like water
to a place called My-vatné, where it flowed ‘into a lake. This
efflux of melted matter ‘can only happen ‘in ‘the two afore-
mentioned places. It has not been heard of from the year
1000 till 1728. In the fouth country it was never heard of,

but in the parifhes of Guldbringe and Arnes, and in thofe of

Hnappedals, Borgefiords and Snefeldsnefs. There are fome flight
accounts of the like in the high mountains between the north
and fouth country. But a few tracts of land, and exceeding
fmall in comparifon to the whole ifland, are thus liable to take
fire. Such grounds as have been burnt in this manner, are called
by the inhabitants Hraun, and moft of them were.in the fame
condition they now are when the Norwegians firft began to fettle
here; for the prefent inhabitants can give no account of any
happening from the year 1000 till 1728 *, which I fhall relate
according to the moft authentic accounts I could receive from
very credible and worthy people in the ifland. In the year 1726,
in the parifh of Norderfyfiell a few fhocks of an‘earthquake being
felt, a great mountain called Krafle made a horrid and frightful
rumbling noife, fucceeded by thick fmoke and fire that burft
forth and threw out ftones and afhes in a manner terrible to be-
hold. Two perfons at that inftant happened to be travelling
along the foot of the mountain. The fire rufhed about them ;
they were forely frightened, and every moment expected to be
confumed, but happily efcaped unhurt. It being very calm
weather the afhes and ftones were not carried to any great diftance,
and by this means the adjacent country was not much damaged.
This mountain continued burning for fome time, abating at in-

* Mr. Anderfon tells us, that in the year 1729, in the parith of Huufwich, there
broke out a fire from the earth and deftroyed the little town of Myconfu and all the
neighbouring land. All the churches, houfes, fheep, horfes and horned cattle were
at once contumed to afhes. The flames grazed the furface of the ground with fuch
rapidity that the inhabitants could hardly faye themfelves by the moft precipitate
flight. Six parifhes were in the utmoft danger of being totally deftroyed by the fire;
but three miraculoufly efcaped, and the fire; which no hunfan {kill could conquer,
was in a few days extinguifhed by a thick fog and heavy rains.

tervals,

ed

IO

NATURAL HISTORY: of AGELAND.

tervals, and then breaking out again. No earthquake was per-
ceived, except fome flight fhocks ‘before the fire began to rage. In
the year 1728, from:the flames that gufhed out, rf fulphureous
earth in the mountain took fire, burnt for fome time, and after-
wards became a fluid,. running in a flow ftream down the fouth

fide of the hill, to the low land, as far as a great lake called My-
vatne, of thirty-fx Englifh miles circumference and eighteen
from the mountain. - The neighbouring inhabitants being appre-
henfive of the danger, moved away in the {pring of 1729; and
the fummer following, having {tripped their churches and houfes
of all their timber, brought the fame away with them. In the
autumn of that year the ftream had reached, in the valley or low
lands the edge of the lake. It overflowed the three farms of

Reikehlid, Groef and Fagrenefs, and run all over the grounds

belonging to them ; it alfo pafled round the church, which hap-
pily ftanding on higher ground efcaped., At laft it took its courfe
into the lake and made a horrible crackling and hifling. It

continued ftill running till the year 1730, and then ceafed :of it-

felf ; probably for want of fuel to keep it alive. . This running
matter being afterwards. congealed, looked like calcined ftones.
It is called by the natives Hraun.| The inhabitants foon rebuilt
their. huts and churches. Reikehlid, with half its grounds was
totally deftroyed ; but was foon after reinftated on a more conve-
nient fpot. As for the other two farms which fuffered the fame fate,
no ground could be found near the place to rebuild them upon.
The only damage fuftained was in thefe farms; for not a living
creature was hurt. The lake of My-vatne into which this burn-
ing matter flowed was filled up at the place where it emptied
itfelf. Before this accident the water was there very deep, and
was well ftocked with a great many filh, efpecially {mall herrings ;

but for a long time after hardly any were feen: they avoided the
place from an averfion to the fulphur, or perhaps died of the ftench.
At prefent they are as plenty as ever. This matter as it ran
flowly along, appeared like fluid metal and probably confifted
of melted brimftone, ftones and gravel; but it did not through-
out its courfe fet any of the earth on fire. Its flames were con-
fined to the burning.rock, which abounded with fulphur. The |
Icelanders eall it the burning ftone. . This is the truth of what

happened

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.

happened by the mountain of Krafle’s taking fire. The fame
lafted four years. Since that time no fiery eruption of any kind
appeared in the ifland. I {poke with a perfon who travelled in
thofe parts, whilft this ftuff was flowing. He faid that it ran
very even and quiet, that he went up to the edge of it, and
lighted his pipe by it.

GHAP. VIL

Concerning the burning mountains.

HIS extenfive and mountainous ifland is reported to abound

with burning mountains: but from all the accounts I

could gather, I do not find twenty all over the ifland that have
ever burn’d*. I before obferved, that here are all forts of earth,
and a great deal of fand, efpecially about the mountains called
Jokells, which are continually covered with ice and fnow. Fiery
eruptions from thefe mountains have fometimes occafioned great
overflowings by melting the ice and fnow, which wafhed away
all the mould upon the flopes of the mountains and the adjacent
parts, leaving nothing but the bare fand. -Afhes and calcined
{tones are only found about Hecla, Krafle and fuch mountains as
have burned with violence, and thrown up great quantities of
bituminous matter. It cannot be faid that thefe mountains fre-
quently emit fire; no fuch thing having been perceived fince the
year 1728. ‘This happened at the Jokell Oraife, eaftward in the
diftri of Skaftefield, and two years before at Krafle in the north
diftri@. Thofe that live near thefe mountains have learned by
experience, that, when the ice and fnow fwell to fuch a pitch
as to ftop up the holes from whence the fire iflues, the earth
begins to fhake, and foon after fiery eruptions enfue. At the
time of this writing, they were apprehenfive that the mountain
in Skaftefield which burnt in the year 1728, would very foon
difgorge flames again, having obferved that the ice and fnow
covered the aperture, and confequently kept the air and vapours
from having vent +. The

* Mr. Anderfon fays this ifland appears like a calcined rock, being totally de-
ftroyed by the many fiery eruptions from the mountains and the burning earth around
them: for hardly any thing elfe is met with, but afhes of mountains, and no where
fuch fand as in other places, being chiefly a compound of calcined ftones and afhes.

+ The fame Author relates, that when the {now melts, it flows from the moun-
tains like a torrent, carrying with it huge pieces of ice, burnt matter and minerals,

and

LE

12

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.

The fatal confequences of fuch eruptions cannot be beheld
without the greateft horror. They are ufually attended with rapid
torrents, pouring down from the mountains and wafhing away
every thing before them. The people generally fave themfelves,
and it very feldom happens that they do not efcape; as may ap-
pear from the mountain in Portlandfbay in the year 1721, which
not lefs fuddenly than violently overflowed. This I fhall relate
in its proper place; but not one perifhed., Two travellers who
beheld this violent eruption retreated to the top of a higher moun-
tain, where they were obliged to ftay a day and half. Afterwards
they purfued their journey acrofs part of the mountain that had
overflowed. No cattle were deftroyed by this accident. | It is
natural to fuppofe that wherever thefe overflowings reach, the
earth muft be greatly damaged *: but thefe mountains are chiefly
crouded in one tract of the ifland and the eruption ufually hap-
pens at the fame place.

An account of the overflowing of the Jokell Kotlegau, in 1721.

This happened in 1721, in the diftri& of Skaftefield to the
fouth, at a mountain called Kotlegau, about 30 or 36 Englifh
miles from the fea, near Portland’s bay. After feveral warnings
by fhocks of an earthquake, it firft difgorged fire which
melted down the ice. A moft rapid torrent of water enfued +,
bearing away with it an incredible quantity of fand and earth,

and overflowing and wafhing away every thing before it in a manner moft dreadful
to behold, nothing being able, whether people, cattle or houfes to efcape, or with-
ftand its fury.

* Mr. Anderfon obferves, that the united power of fire and water has totally de-
ftroyed this country, and left it full of chafms and frightful rugged and torn
mountains.

+ The fame Author relates, that the violent force with which the air rufhed forth
and expanded itfelf, tore away a great part of the mountain, and carried it not only
fix miles to the fea-fide, but fix miles farther into the fea, and there left it ftanding:
it was of fuch bulk that part of it was confiderably above the furface of the water.
He likewife fays, that the afhes were fwept away by the wind, not only over the

whole ifland, but many miles out at fea, and that all the filh that lay a drying were

totally fpoiled. The horfes and cattle had their mouths cut and feftered, and were
otherwife much hurt the two following years by the afhes and fand that were fcat-
tered about. He further adds, that the foot of the mountain took fire and fpread
itfelf underground, taking a courfe of more than 100 miles, and continually burn-
ing for the {pace of a whole year. The Author of this Hiftory contradicts this ac-
count and affures us, that the mountain ftands 30 or 36 miles from the fea, that the
rain wafhed all the duft and afhes away in one day, and that he never could find
any one that could give any account of fubterraneous fires at that place. d
I an

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.
and deftroying all the ground it went over by wafhing away all

the mould. ‘The intire current rufhed with the fame violence
into the fea and filled it up like a hill, to near three miles diftance
from the fhore. It fince gradually declined to its prefent condi-
tion, appearing not much above the furface of the water. Be-
tween this mountain and the fea there is a rock called Haver Ey,
to the top of which the two travellers retired. Though the inun-
dation overfpread all adjoining parts to the height of feveral fa-
thoms, and deftroyed a deal of fine ground and grafs, they not-
withftanding, about a day and a half after, purfued their journey
acrofs the country that had been overflowed, and were able to
give the beft account of this frightful fight, which they beheld
without any danger from the top of the rock Haver Ey.

This mountain ftands in an extenfive fandy plain, called Mid-
dals Sand.

Many years before, the fame misfortune happened to this
place and deftroyed the valley, where there was good grafs.
The houfes that then ftood thereon were intirely confumed,
but it received no additional hurt this time, as being ruined before,
The prodigious quantity of fand, ftones, and earth, carried into
the fea, may be afcertained from what ftill remains to be feen, as
alfo from the account given of the ifland of Weftman, which
lies 72 miles out at fea; where the fea all of a fudden rofe with
a violent motion to fuch an uncommon height, that it was with
the greateft difficulty, the fifhermen faved their veffels from
being tofled afhore, and wafhed over by the waves. Such a vio-
lent agitation of the fea, and at fuch a diftance, fufficiently proves
what an exceflive quantity of fand, &c. muft have been poured
with the water into the fea.

The fiery eruption, together with the afhes, fand, and fmoke
that followed, fo eclipfed the fun, that it did not appear for a
whole day. ‘The afhes and fand were carried to an incredible
diftance, and almoft to all parts of the ifland where the wind
blew. The grafs newly mowed, the hay that was out, and ‘all
the fifh that were hanging to dry, were covered by them: But
a day’s rain wafhed all clean again. The fire only continued
flaming with this great violence at intervals. Whenever it ceafed,
it was fucceeded by thick dark fmoke and vapour. Probably the

E fire

4

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.

fire was fmothered by the great quantity of melted {now that poured

‘in and occafioned this-dark thick fteam. - This inundation. lafted

about three days.) It-was dangerous travelling fora long while
after. In many places fand vovered: the mow and” ice, and tra-
vellers funk througly; but Edonot find that any confiderable ac-
cident’ happened. In ‘fuch’a-flood ‘every thing "mixed togethe?,
for when it fubfided all things were found promifcuousl pyumbled
with one another. — ith!

An account of the eruption from the Jokell Oraife, in 1728,"

As Jokell Kotlegau overflowed, fo did alfo, the Jokell, or
mountain Oraife to ‘the eaft of the diftri@ of . Skaftefield.
The fire broke out between Ladyday and Midfummer, and
continued burning till the beginning of October of the fame
year. The water flowed from the mountain between two farm-_
houfes called Hoff and Sandfeld; which lie not above fix
miles from the foot of the mountain, and about the fame
diftance from each other. ---It fpread itfelf beyond thef houfes
in the flat country, and: wafhed through the lower houfe and
dairy, and carried off all the milk, butter, &c. the people faved
themfelves by getting on the tops ‘of the holes. The water did
not rife fo high, and only filled the infide.' Numbers of the
cattle from both farms were carried off, and fome of them were
afterwards found parboiled. It ran along the vallies and emptied
itfelf into the fea ; but the ftones, - fand and earth, carried away by
the current were not any way equal in quantity, nor rufhed on
fo violently as the former, though greater damages were fuftained.
No cattle were loft in the other eruption, nor any field of grafs
deftroyed, the fame being entirely demolifhed by former inunda-
tions: but the ftream of the eruption we are now talking of,
paffed over fine fields, and deftroyed the better part of the cattle
that were grazing in them.

This is a faithful relation of the whole hiftory of thefe two
Jokells, which in 1721 and 1728; broke out in flames, and by
melting vaft quantities of {now and ice, occafioned very great
inundations and all the dangerous confequences we have enume-
rated; by which providentially no human creature came to any

hurt.

NATURAL HISTORY of [CELAND.

hurt. Thefe mountains remain as they were, though the fhocks
of earthquakes and the heavy pieces of ice that fall and tear
down from them heavy {tones, may have altered their external
form *. ' They muft, no doubt, hereby receive great cracks and
gaps, but it is certain they are not rent afunder.

Though the earth round thefe mountains feems not to be
impregnated with fulphur, yet it is moft likely that the interior
parts of the mountains are full of fuch combuftible matter, by
reafon of the violent fiery eruptions which happen. None of the
adjoining mountains or the ground took fire, as at Krafle in the
northern diftri@t. The ground there, it is well known, abounds
with fulphur.

aoe. VIL

Concerning the mountain Hecla.

ECLA has always been famous for one of the moft noted
burning mountains in the known world. Some are of
opinion that it has a communication with the mountain Vefuvius
in Italy: for as foon as the one begins to difgorge Paes, the
other does the fame.

At prefent, Hecla makes no great figure among the burning
mountains in Iceland ; having ceafed to emit flames thefe many
years: but others have exerted themfelves as much as even Hecla
has done, as Krafle in the northern diftria, and Kotlegau and
Oraife in the diftrict of Skaftefield. It likewife appears that
Hecla has no kind of communication or conneétion with tna
or Vefuvius: for thefe two mountains have lately burned and
Hecla has been quiet. Certain it is, that Hecla has many times
burned with great fury; but that it continued fo for feveral
hundred years together, is not to be credited. It cannot be faid’
to burn continually, when many years have paffed fince it ens
tirely ceafed, and not the leaft fymptom of fire or {moke appear»
ed. During the term of the 800 years that Iceland. has been in-
habited, Hecla burned ten times, namely, in 1104, 1157, 1222,
1300, 1341, 1362, 1389, 1558, 1636, and 1693. This laft
time the flames appeared the 13th of February, and continued

* Mr. Anderfon tells us this mountain ftands 30 or 36 miles from the fea.

5 till

15

16

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.

till the Auguft following. . In the fame manner every other time,
it continued burning feveral months together. By this account
we fee that in the 13th Century it was moft difturbed, having
broke out feveral times *. It afterwards ceafed 169 years in-
cluding the whole 14th century. In the 15th century, it burn-
ed but once, and in the 16th only twice. It now has been quiet
upwards of 60 years; from whence I draw this inference, that
by its gradual decreafe the fire got vent in another place, broke
out in fome of the other mountains, and may probably entirely
ceafe. Now not the leaft fymptom of fmoke or frre is per=
ceptible. Some {mall cavities are difcoverable in the rock, full
of boiling hot water; but of this kind are many much more con-
fiderable in feveral parts of the ifland.

It is remarkable and worthy of obfervation; that the laft time
Hecla had an eruption, the country all around was ftrewed with
fand, pumice-f{tone, and other bituminous matter. But length
of time, rain and wind have gradually cleared the high ground
and wafhed away this matter into low marfhy places, which, by
that means, have been dried up and now bear grafs. The hills
as if manured by it, are finer and fatter than ever, being now
covered with the fineft grafs. In other places mould has gathered
over the afhes a foot or two deep. At the foot of this moun-
tain, there are houfes and farms. Many people out of curiofity
have gone to the top of this mountain. In the year 1750 two
Icelanders, ftudents in the univerfity of Copenhagen, came home
to make fome phyfical obfervations. Arriving at this place they
afcended the mountain, and found great heaps of afhes and fand,
great cracks and chafms, and feveral cavities filled with boiling
hot water. After they had tired themfelves with walking in
afhes and fand up to their knees, they came down fafe and well,
but very much fatigued. Many others have had the fame curio-
fity, but none difcovered the leaft appearance of fire or any thing
burning. Hecla is a very high mountain, and one of the higheft —
in the ifland. It is alfo what they call a Jockell; for the top,
which none can come at, is continually covered with ice and fnow.

* Mr. Anderfon tells us it has burned fucceffively for many hundred years,
and that it is now only recovering itfelf to burn and difgorge with greater rage

The

and fury.

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAN D.
The particulars of thefe eight chapters have been fet forth by

other authors in fuch manner, as to convey to the readers ftrange
ideas of this place, and very different from what I myfelf experienced.
For the fatisfaction therefore of the public, I will in one chapter
give a fuccind and general defcription of this ifland and its pro-
perties, with regard to extent and the peculiar qualities of the
earth, the mountains, and the foil, in order to place in a clearer
light, and lay down more exact notions of what has already

been but confufedly handled.
GHA P IX
A brief and general defcription of Iceland with regard to its fixe,

and the peculiar properties of the earth and mountains.

CELAND is one of the largeft iflands in Europe, and infe-

rior in magnitude to none but the ifland of Great Britain.

The length from eaft to weft I compute at about 720 Englifh
miles, and the breadth upon an average about 300.

This great country is very uneven and has vaft ridges of moun-
tains, both lengthways from eaft to weft, and acrofs the country.
Between thefe mountains are fine and fruitful vallies, and fome
very large openings feveral miles in length and breadth ; by which
the country is divided into 18 fyffells or fhires, each of which is
as extenfive as a province in Denmark, and fome are fo confi-
derable that two fyffelmend, or juftices, are appointed for them.
The fyffells or fhires are parted in feveral places by great lakes
and rivers, F

The mountains which lie in the midft of the ifland are ex-
ceeding rugged, barren and defolate; though fome few among
them are covered with grafs. The mountains that part the fhires,
are for the better part very fruitful, and yield great plenty of
excellent grafs. The barren mountains are of two kinds: the
one, nothing but fand and ftone, the other vaft huge rocks,
covered with ice and fnow all the year round, and diftinguifhed
by the name Jokeler. Though continually covered with ice and
{now, they are not the higheft among the rocks. Some are ra-
ther low and furrounded by much loftier, on which the {now
melts away in the fummer. This muft be owing to fome pecu-

F liar

ay

18

NATURAL HISTORY of [CELAND.

liar quality in the nature of the foil. From thofe barren defolate
mountains fire will fometimes break forth, and chiefly from thofe
called Jokells, fuch as Hecla, Kotlegau and Oraife. As for -
Krafle in the northern diftrict, it never was a Jokell or perpe-
tually covered with ice and fnow. |

Along the country are feveral ridges of rocks, between which
are large vallies, but not fo deep as thofe towards the fea fide,
being rather upon a level with the mountains that lie nearer the
fea. However, thefe vallies are deep in proportion to the high
mountains that furround them, as may appear by travelling into
the heart of the country, the afcent being continual and, as it
were, infenfible. The heart of the country is entirely uninhabited,
though containing many. very fine and fruitful fpots, where fheep
are often kept to feed all the year round, and fometimes feveral
years together; expofed to all forts of weather without ever being
houfed. When thele fheep are driven away to be fent to market,
they are found exceeding fine and fat, and by far better than
thofe kept about the farms in other vallies. Here are alfo plea-
fant rivulets, brooks and ponds of fine clear and good water, and
quantities of fine fifh. The large vallies which are inhabited, lie
all much lower than thofe up the country, gradually defcending
to the fea fide. Some extend along ¢he coaft, and may be about
25 or 30 milcs in breadth towards the mountains. Others again
run in between the mountains. All of the feveral traés that
conftitute properly the fhires, have fmall vallies between the hills
for the grazing of cattle, and in the fummer-feafon huts are built,
where proper perfons are appointed to manage and look after the |
milk, butter, wool, &c.

From fome of the mountains flow large and {mall rivers, be-
fides rivulets and ftreams, all which water the flat or low country,
and abound with very fine fifh. There are alfo many bays,
creeks and harbours towards the fea, very convenient for fifhing,
and up the country fine large lakes 30 or 36 miles in circum-
ference, and fome lefs, which abound with moft excellent fath. "
Thus the inhabitants are not in want of many good conveniencies —
for nourifhment and fubfiftence. Woods are {carce, though there
are fome few, chiefly in the northern diftrig, but in no propor-
tion to thofe other countries are productive of. As to the foil;

I 1t

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.

it differs:as in moft countries. Fine mould is found in fome
places, clayey and fandy ground in fome others, befides very
large bogs, or marfhes commonly overflowed with water, though
in the fummer they dry up and may be rode over. ‘Thefe marfhes,
when drained, become very fine grounds. Turf is found almoft
every where, and in fome places exceeding good.

The difadvantages that attend this country are chiefly the fol-
lowing. Burning mountains, which occafioned conflagrations of
the earth, as already related in difcourfing of the mountain of
Krafle, where the earth abounds with fulphur. When the Jokells
take fire, they occafion great inundations, by melting the vaft
" quantity of ice and fnow with which they are covered, as has
been feen in the account of Skaftefield. Thefe two calamities,
God be praifed, happen but feldom, and caufe not fuch havock
as reprefented by fome authors and travellers. As an account of
the excellencies of this country, its fine fifheries, its breeding of
cattle and many other things of note, require more room than is
intended. in this {hort and general defcription, I fhall treat more
at large of the fame in their proper places. However, I thought
it not improper to give a fhort fketch of the face of the country,
the mountains, rocks, valleys, &c. fo much the more, as fome
authors and travellers have moft unmercifully pictured their de-
{cription like hell itfelf, and confequently tranfmitted to the pub-
lic a very falfe and wretched idea of the country. I thall there-
fore now proceed according to my firft intention, which was to
difcufs and elucidate each fubject in a feparate article.

KOR A:P ae:

Concerning a lake which takes fire three times a year.

BOUT Hecla are feveral little fprings, and at the foot of

the mountain feveral ponds, both perpetually hot, and

fome hotter than others. Ido not find that any one with a
thermometer has made experiments whether they are hotter in
winter than fummer, or whether they are of an equal heat
all the year round. Certain it is, that fometimes a ftronger fteam
arifes from them than at other times. This I have obferved my
felf; and it is known by experience, that when the fteam or
vapour

19

20

NATURAL HISTORY: of ICELAND.

vapour is very thick it is likely to be rainy and damp weather, and
vice verså, when the air is fine and clear, it is by far lefs denfe,
and the fteam does not rife fo faft, But neither here, nor at any
other of the hot fprings, of which there are many, have ever any
flames been feen *. The {moke or fteam, as before obferved, is
fometimes ftronger but not periodical. Two oppofite elements
will not unite in this country no more than in any other. Thofe
that made this relation happened to come a day too late and
only found the water fmoking, which may be feen in many
hundred parts of the ifland, as alfo fome very ftrange and fur-
prizing phenomena, which I fhall treat of in the next article.

GER AR XT

Concerning the hot waters.

Het waters are found in many parts of this ifland. But
though a phyfical difquifition be not the plan I lay down
for myfelf, yet I prefume the fame caufes afligned by philofo-
phers in other countries may be allowed here. I have vifited
many of thefe warm baths, but never found the leaft appearance
of fulphur in the ground near them; nor do the waters tafte of
any mineral, which I tried by feveral experiments. Where
thefe hot fprings are, there is frequently a {mall bafon at the
place they flow out, which may contain about twenty or thirty
gallons. In fome places the water that runs from the rocks
over hot grounds is heated to fuch a degree as to fend forth
fmoke or fteam: but thefe can hardly be called brooks. The
ground does not {moke, though fo hot, that it would be impofli-
ble to ftand upon it without fhoes. This I have obferved in a
dry fummer when the waters above were dried up. Where I
found thefe hot grounds, it has been chiefly ftony, with fmall
cracks about the breadth of the little finger. From thence the
heat has been much ftronger than from other places. When the

* Mr. Anderfon tells us that about three Englifh miles from Hecla there is a fmall.
frefh-water lake always warm, rather hotter in the winter, and according to the
accounts of the people in the neighbourhood, endowed with the peculiar property
of taking fire three times a year, and burning about a fortnight together in fmall
bright flames. When they go out, it fteams or fmokes for feveral days after. He
adds, that his factor went on purpofe to fee this ftrange phanomenon, but that it

happened to go out the day before he arrived.
water

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.

water runs over thefe narrow cracks it boils up flronger than elfe-
where. Thefe hot waters are called in the native language Hver,
and in Iceland confift of three forts. Some moderately hot that
a perfon may hold his hand in; others boiling hot, and others
that boil to fuch a degree, as to throw the water up like a foun-
tain; Of the laft are two forts, fome that boil promifcuoufly
throwing up the water in a common manner; others that clear
at certain intervals and afterwards in a regular order throw up
the water. Of the latter fort that in the diftrid of Huufevig, is
the moft remarkable in the country; a fhort defcription of it,
will not, I prefume, be difagreeable,

CAP: XH.
A fhort defcription of a hot pring in the diftri& of Huufevig.

HIS extraordinary fpring is to be met with in the north

fhire and parifh of Huufevig near a farm called * Reykum,

about 50 or 60 miles from the mountain Krafle, which has been
before fpoken of. At this place are three {prings which lie about
30 fathom from each other. The water boils up in them by
turns in the following manner. When the fpring or well at one
end has thrown up its water, then the middle one begins, which

fubfiding, that at the other end rifes, and after it the firft begins.

again, and fo on in the fame order by a continued fucceffion,
each boiling up three times in about a quarter of an hour. They
are all in a flat open place, but the ground hard and rocky. In
two of them the water rifes between the cracks and boils up about
two feet only above the ground. The third has a large round
aperture, by which it empties itfelf into a place like a bafon, as
if formed by art, in a hard ftone rock, and as big as a brewing
copper. On difcharging itfelf here, it will rife at the third boiling
ten or twelve feet high above the brim, and afterwards fink four
feet or more in the bafon or refervoir. At this interval it may
be approached near enough, to fee how deep it finks; but thofe
that have this curiofity, muft take care to get away before it

* By fuch like names many are called in this ifland, becaufe they adopt the name

of the fprings they lie near: for Reyk in the Iceland language fignifying {moke,
the farm is therefore fo called from the fmoke and fteams that arife out of thefe

fprings.
G boils

24

22

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.

boils up again. As foon as it has funk to the deepeft ebb, it
immediately rifes again, and that in three boilings. At the firft,
it rifes half way up to the edge or brim; in the fecond, above
the brim ; in the third, as before obferved, 10 or 12 feet high.
Then it finks at once four feet below the brim of the refervoir,
and when funk here, rifes at the other end, and from thence pro-
ceeds to the middle one, and fo on by a conftant regular rotation.
Having now given a defcription of thefe fprings and the fur-
prizing manner of their rifing, I fhall add a fhort account of
fome extraordinary effects of the water. If the water out of the
largeft well is poured into bottles it will ftill continue to boil up
twice, or thrice, and at the fame time with the water in the
well. Thus long will the effervefcence continue after the water —
is taken out of the well, but this being over it foon quite fubfides
and grows cold. If the bottles are corked up the moment they
are filled, fo foon as the water rifes in the well they burft in
pieces: this experiment has been proved on many fcore bottles,
to try the effects of the water. Whatever is caft into the well when
the water fubfides, it attraéts with it down to the bottom, even
wood, which on another like fluid would float: but when the
water flows again, it throws every thing up, which may be found
at the fide of the bafon. This has been often tried with ftones
as large and as heavy as the ftouteft fellows have hardly been
able to tumble in. Thefe ftones made a violent noife on being
plunged to the bottom; but when the water rofe again, they
were ejaculated with force beyond the edge of the well. A vaft
many ftones lie about that have been ufed in fuch experiments,
The water by continually flowing over, has formed a little brook,
which, it feems, grows cool by degrees, and at laft falls into a
little river. It is a pleafant water to drink, when cold, and
hardly taftes of any mineral. On the neighbouring plain there is
generally a very fine growth of grafs, but within three or four
yards of thefe wells, or {prings, the place being continually wet
by the fplafhing of the water, all the mould is wafhed away, and
nothing but the naked ftone rock appears. ‘There is a farm at a
{mall diftance and clofe by it this water runs from the well. It
is is here but juft warm. The cattle water in it, and the cows
yield a much greater quantity of milk than others that do not
5 water

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.

water at that place. This is a thing univerfally known, and is
a very extraordinary effet. of the water. Such are the ftrange
and remarkable properties of thefe wells or fprings, of which
there are feveral others much of the fame kind, but the alternate
boiling up of the water is intirely peculiar to thefe three. Where
any of thefe hot fprings are, they continually exhale a vapour or
fteam, which is greater or lefs according as the water is agitated,
or the air lighter or heavier. This {team is fometimes feen at a
very great diftance.

The ufe the inhabitants make of thefe fprings.

They that live near thefe hot baths, of which in this ifland
there are many, whofe water is continually boiling hot, employ
the fame for feveral ufes. They fometimes take a pot or any
veffel filled with cold water, put the meat or whatever they have
to boil in it, and hang the veffel at a certain depth in the well *.
It prefently boils, and in this manner they drefs their boiled
victuals without being at any expence for fuel.

I have met with travellers, who having their tea-kettle with
them, filled it with water and boiled it inftantly in one of thefe
baths; and I have feen people fit the whole day bending of hoops
for barrels at the edge of thefe boiling hot baths, by the heat of
which they bent fome of an extraordinary thicknefs. Every two
" hours or lefs, they were obliged to fet afide their work, and take
frefh air to prevent any ill effects from the fulphureous and other bad
fmells of the fteam, which expands itfelf to a confiderable diftance.
The ftench has been fo ftrong at fome of them, that I was not able
to bear it. The ground about thefe hot wells is generally of
various colours, and contains fome fulphur, alum and faltpetre.

Befides the benefit the inhabitants have of boiling their vic-
tuals and water at thefe places, they make ufe of them to wafh
or bathe in. The water that continually overflows and runs at
fome diftance is of proper heat for bathing. Sometimes they
contrive to bring cold water to the bafons : for as before obferved,
there are actually bafons at the mouth of fome of the fprings, as
if they were hewn out-and fafhioned by a ftone-cutter. By this
means they afluage the heat of the water, and make it fit for

* Mr. Anderfon tells us they faften their meat to a piece of wood and dip it in
the hot well till it is boiled,

bathing.

23

24

NATURAL HISTORY of [CELAND.

bathing. I have feen one of thefe bafons moft remarkably capa~
cious, fmooth within, and well fhaped for the purpofe. It was
in a folid rock without any cracks, the bottom very fmooth, and
at any time could be covered with a tilt-cloth. It had befides
this advantage; that there was an aquedué to it from hot and
cold fprings, fome fo hot that one could not bear a finger in
them, others fo cold as ice, and both conveyed to or from the
bafon at pleafure, by which means the water in the bafon could
be brought to any defired degree of warmth. At the bottom of
this refervoir, fo formed by nature, was a hole made, through
which the water could eafily be carried off into a little adjoining
rivulet. A frefh fupply of clean water was always at hand to
fill it again on ftopping up the hole. The people that live here,
bathe frequently in it, and chiefly on this account are a very
healthy people, and generally live to a good old age.

The common people are full of a fuperftitious notion that
fome ftrange birds are continually hovering and harbouring about
thefe hot wells +. 3

They relate this, as matter of fact, and believe it, though on
hear-fay only from their fathers and great-grand fathers; but
upon enquiry not one is to be met with, that ever faw any of
thefe ftrange birds. .

Befides, it is highly improbable, that birds fhould harbour
about or fwim on water, fo hot, that a piece of beef may be
boiled in it. Very likely birds may refort to the water that over-
flows and runs in a continued ftream, cooling by degrees, and
at laft emptying itfelf into fome river: but it cannot be faid that
birds particularly harbour about any of thefe places. In the rivers,
which the different ftreams of thefe hot wells flow into, is found
the fame kind of fifh, as in moft other rivers; fuch as, falmon,
trout and a variety of other fifth, which is a convincing proof

that the waters have no ftrong mineral quality in them, it being

known by experience, that fifh will not live in water that is any
way tinctured with fulphur, or any other mineral quality.

The waters in general are very good in this ifland; but this
is not owing to any mineral quality in them, having found my-

+ Mr. Anderfon fays there is a fort of black-birds with long bills, much like a
fnipe, continually harbouring about thefe hot wells. im (ele
e

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.

felf by repeated experiments, that they retain but very little of
any mineral, except in a few parts, where they feem impregnat-
ed with fmall portions of a chalybeat, or vitriolic fubftance *.
In moft places they are quite pure, without the leaft foreign
tincture any way difcoverable by common experiments, or by the
tafte. It is therefore evident, that the earth all over the ifland
does not abound with fulphur, faltpetre, and other falts; the
waters in the diftrict, as I have before related, where the ground
is full of fulphur, have a ftrong fulphureous tafte and {mell +.

Gort A PP. XII.

Concerning the property and quality of the rocks and mountains, in
which probably marble may be found.

HAT has been already faid concerning the rocks and

mountains in Iceland, - might feem more than fufficient,
had not my defign been to enter into a proper detail of things.
However, to avoid unneceflary repetitions, I refer my readers to
what has been faid before on this fubje&, wherein I prefume, I
made it appear, that many of thefe mountains yield great ftore
of very good grafs. As to their containing marble, I will not
pretend that I ever difcovered any. ”Tis true, that along the
coaft I found ftones of very beautiful colours, fome red, fome
greenifh, and others finely variegated: the fame I alfo found in
fome of the mountains; but none of them are marble ftones,
though it is very probable, that marble may be found in the ifland i.
His Danifh majefty fent miners there to break the rocks and
make experiments. The natives, will, no doubt, reap fome ad=
vantage from their inftruétions, and in procefs of time, probably
marble, and other valuable minerals may be difcovered.

* Mr. Anderfon fays that moft of the fprings in this ifland both hot and cold, are
good and wholfome waters, becaufe all, more or lefs, contain fome mineral quality.

+ The fame Author here again alledges, that the whole country abounds with ful-
phur, and that a fpade cannot be put half way into the ground, but it brings up ful-
phur inftead of mould.

f This Author fays on this head, that the mountains and hills are nothing but
fand and ftones, tho’ he allows, that, in all probability, marble may be found in
the rocks, becaufe found both in Sweden and Norway. He adds, that fome ftones
found along the coaft may be deemed a fpecies of marble.

H CA AP;

25

26

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.

Coe AS Pl) SL,
Concerning cryftals.

RYSTALS are fometimes found here, but as they never
happened to fall in my way, I will not take upon me to
affert or deny that there is any fuch thing *. The peculiar pro-
perty of that which goes under the denomination of Chryftallus
Iflandica, confifts in reprefenting the object, feen through it,
double. But this is not properly what is commonly called cry-
ftal, though it retains that appellation. It is nothing but fpar, and
is faid to be found eaftward, on a mountain near Rodefiord.
Very likely it may ; but as I have. not been eaftward, I cannot
vouch for the truth of this affertion.

ids AaB: ee

Concerning pumice ftone.

HERE vulcano’s or burning mountains are, there pu-

mice ftone is generally found. Whether that which is

found here is clean or foul I cannot determine, being unac-

quainted with the properties it fhould have to be deemed good
and clean +.

GBA Ron RV.

Concerning the metallic ores found in this country.

HERE are not only grounds to prefume that there are ores
and minerals in the Iceland mountains, but very fufficient
demonftration ; it being very well known, that the country
people frequently find great lumps of ore, fo rich, that a com-
mon wood fire will melt them. Of this ore they themfélves
have caft feals and buttons, fome of which have been found t to

* Mr. Anderfon fays that the cryftal ind! in Iceland is very foft, friable, and
unfit for any manufacture.

+ The fame Author tells us, that two forts of pumice ftone are here found, the
one grey, the other black. Both, in his opinion, are foul. This {tone is dilgorged
in the eruption of burning mountains.

be

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.

be pure filver. Many of the inhabitants for foldering the ward ©

of a key, will go into the field to feck after a kind of ftuff,
which they know will anfwer the purpofe. Having-applied it to
the place they want to have faftened, they put clay round it,
and throw it into the fire till they think it has received fufficient
heat. Then they take it out, ftrike off the clay, and find the
parts ftrongly foldered together. What can this be they find in
the field, unlefs pieces of ore that contain a metal proper to fol-

der with? Probably it is copper-ore, that metal being fit for fol-

dering iron. It is certainly known, that many places are re-
markable for being produétive of very rich copper-ore. Several
of the inhabitants have prepared for themfelves various utenfils
of iron, made out of an ore which they find in abundance, with-
out any great trouble, in many places. Hence. it is plain, that
the ifland contains not only iron, but. other valuable metals *.
Probably a time may come when fome will undertake to fearch
for thefe hidden treafures. Nothing is likely. to obftrué& the en-
terprize but the fearcity of wood; but if the mines fhould be
found rich enough to defray the expences, this -obftrudtion may
be eafily removed. Great things, in my opinion, may therefore
be expected from the Iceland ore, and fo much the more, as
pure metal of the aforefaid three forts, has often been found
above ground +.

C H-A-P, VE
Concerning rofin and turf.

T is not to be gueftioned, but that the Iceland mountains
contain rofin, pitch, and other bituminous matter. This is
demonftrable by the mountains, which fometimes have taken fire,
assit muft be fomething of this kind that feeds the fire fo long,
efpecially where it takes a courfe over the ground for feveral
miles. Turf is in plenty, and in the fouthern parts, the beft I

* Mr. Anderfon intimates, that there is no judging what metals may be found,
none having ever given themfelves the trouble to look after any fuch thing.

+ The fame Author affigns two reafons, the firft, that the mountains are fright-
ful and dangerous ; the fecond, that there is too great a fearcity of timber for erect-
ing works, and going through the operations of f{melting, refining, &c.

have

27

28

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.

have ever feen *. The inhabitants in thofe parts where it is to
be found, hardly burn any thing elfe. In other places they burn
brufh-wood and furze, of which there is great plenty almoft
every where. They cut alfo a fort of turf at low water along
the fhore. It is black and heavy, and much the fame as the
other on land. In the fouth parts they ufe much of this, either
to fave the grafs turf, which is fcarcer there than in other places,
or to fave themfelves the trouble of going far to fetch it, which
thofe that live along the coaft would otherwife be neceflitated

to do.
Ci wey BPA XVII

Concerning agates.

CELAND produces two forts of agate. The one will burn
like a candle, and is in fact a fpecies of bitumen. The
other, which the Icelanders call Hrafn tinna (black flint ftone)
does not burn. It is harder than the former, and will break in-
to thin flakes, which are very tranfparent, and not unlike glafs,
This makes me think it is a vitrification, and as great quantities of
it is found about Krafle in the northern diftrié, it confirms me the
more in my opinion. At this place pieces are found as large as
a {mall fized table, and fome have weighed 100 or 120 pounds
and upwards. The natives fet apart the firft fort, or inflamma-
ble agate for fome fuperftitious ceremonies, which are conducted
in the fame manner, as is defcribed in Cefius de smineratibus.
Others reject this ufe, and abhor all fuch praétices.

G 3;H; Ad PowoX VIG.
Concerning fulphur. |

URE native fulphur is not to be found any where above
ground, fo as to be fcraped up and gathered, "The earth
being neither good nor fruitful where sit is; the chief fign for
difcovering it, is a {trong heat underneath that {mokes through the

* Mr. Anderfon fays there is not much turf‘in this country, and ‘in the fouth-
ern parts very indifferent, becaufe it is full of fulphur, ftinks abominably, and wattes
away too faft; but again he contradiéts himfelf, for he fays‘at Hafnefiord it is
very good, being black, heavy and firm.

ground.

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.

ground. Generally fpeaking, where the foil is of this kind,
there alfo are hot fprings. Sulphur is equally found in the rocks,
mountains and plains. Sometimes it fhoots to a very confidera-
ble diftance from the foot of the mountains *. There is always
a lay of barren earth upon the fulphur, which is properly no-
thing but fand and clay. This fame earth is of feveral colours,
white, yellow, green, red and blue, When this: lay is removed
the fulphur lies underneath, and may be taken up with fhovels.
By frequently digging as deep as a man’s middle, the fulphur is
found in proper order. They feldom dig deeper, becaufe. the
place is generally too. hot, and requires too much labour, as alfo,
becaufe fulphur may be had at an eafier rate, and in greater
plenty,,in the proper places. Fourfcore horfes may be loaded in
an-hour's time, each horfecarrying 250 pounds weight. The
beft, veins of fulphur are known by a kind of bank or. rifing
in the ground, which is cracked in the middle. F rom hence a
thicker vapour. iffues, and a greater | heat i is felt than in any other
part. | ‘Thefe,are the. places, they choole, for: digging, and after
removing a-layer or two of earth they. come to the fulphur, and
find it beft juft under the bank..or rifing of the ground, where
it looks like candid fugar. ‘The farther from the middle of the
bank,the more) it cables, at Jaft. Appearing. like mere - "duft,
which may be fhovelled up.. But the middle of the bank is an
intire hard lump, and with difficult ty brolzen through. The
loofe duft is likewife good. fulphur, -byt not. quite. fo. “good. as the
hard lumps. + In this’ manner, they. follow. the vein,, and when
exhaufted, look out for another, of which there are plenty in
that part of the country, as I before obferved. . "The labourers
not being able’to bear this work in hot weather, choofe the nights,
which are light enough here in the midft of fummer to: do.,any
labour in. . When they dig, they. are obliged to tye woollen rags
about their fhoes to keep them from, burning. . The brimftone
when firft taken out, is fo hot that-it cam) hardly, be. handled, but

* Mr. Anderfon tells us, that native falphur grows every where under: the upper
lay of mould, efpecially in fenny and marfhy grounds. Frequently whole lumps
are found as big as a man’s fift,- and it breaks out of the rocks fo thick, that every
two or three years it may be feraped of with irons and gathered; but ‘our author
affures us, that fulphur entirely deftroys the fertility of the earth, and that it is quite
inconfiftent that fulphur, which requires hot and dry grounds, fhould ever be pro-
duced in bogs and marthes,

' | I grows

29

30

NATURAL HISTORY of LCELAN D.
stows cooler by degrees. In two or three years thefe veins are
filled with fulphur again, the mines’ bemg always quick with a
furprizing vegetation. ‘This is the genuine nature and difpofi-
tion of the fulphur'in this ifland, with all the circumftances re-
lating to the digging and gathering of it *. From the year 1722,
to the year 1728, fulphur was taken out of the veins, and ex-
ported to foreign’ parts, with the confent, and to the great
advantage ‘of “the inhabitants; but a fhip having fince
been caft away near the harbour, the cargo, which was
fulphur, fo affeé&ted’ the water for a confiderable time; that no
fifth were feen in it.’ The inhabitants being: ftill defirous of turn-
ing this commodity to fome account, continued gathering and
tranfporting it to the trading towns, till fuch time as the mer-
chants ‘would not take any more from them.’ Thus’ it was, that
thofe who had a third fhare "in this concern; and had ordered
large quantities to be gathered, loft very confiderably by it,
being never able to difpofe of it. A great‘ many more of the
inhabitants fuffered in the fame manner ; for when” they had often
gathered it, by not being able to difpofe of it at’ market; vaft quan-
tities were wafted; In reality, it-was not owing ‘to’ the inhabi-
tants that this fulphur trade ceafed, a thing very much to be
pitied ; but, I prefume, I can in fome medfure affign the 'caufe,
which was the death of the perfon at ‘Copenhagen, who had the

fole and exclufive privilege. This death happening foon after he

obtained the fame, puta ftop to the concern, and no one fince
has taken it up, perhaps for want of knowledge and. experience
to fet it on’ a proper footing. ” That fifth have an averfion to ful-
phur is not at all ftrange, there being feveral inftances to con-
firm this opinion, among’ which may be alledged, the fhip at
Huufevig that was caft away with its cargo of fulphur; the matter
that flowed into the lake of My-vatne from the burning mountain
called Krafle, and the'boat that was employed in putting the
filphur on ‘board! the: thip in’ Huufevig’s aig which could

never afterwards’ be. ufed for: ane

# Mr, Aadecfon ‘athe us, that they now leave off gathering fulphur, as they did
feveral times before, , Having, | found it very. hurtful to their fitheries, which are their
principal fupport.

C HAA. P,

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.

Cri AGP: XIX,
Concerning falt, whether any be found in Iceland.

T is more than I can pretend to fay, that common falt is

not to be found in Iceland. Whoever pofitively afferts that
it is not, muft have traverfed the whole country, and be poffef-
fed of the knowledge and experience requifite to examine into
the matter,-and to make the neceflary experiments for a con-
_ vincing proof*, It is true, that having no where myfelf met
with falt-{prings, or rock-falt, (fal petra) I can only fay, that
upon a fpecimen of the latter being fhewed me, I was affured,
that there are great quantities in a certain part of the ifland,
which is very probable. That there are falt {prings about this
ifland at fome diftance in the fea is pretty certain, and it is very
probable, that fuch are in the country. I have obferved in fe-
veral places along the coaft, after a high flood, and the water
being cleared off again, that the moifture, when dried up by
the fun, left a cruft of falt all about the rocks, which the people
being very watchful of, fcrape off, and gather for the ufe of
their families. Thus it cannot pofitively be faid, that no com-
mon falt is found in the ifland. . Moreover it may appear from.
ancient grants to the church in the catholic times, that falt works
and other privileges, particularly northward, were affigned for
foul-maffes to certain ecclefiaftics and monatfteries; by which it
is demonftrable, that in former times they made falt ; for the ec-
clefiaftics not eafily fatished with titular gifts and privileges,
muft have the fubftance and not the fhadow. Two gentle-
men having here made experiments on fea-water, I was affured
by one of them, that one tun of French falt which he boiled

in fea water, produced one tun anda quarter of good white —

falt. ‘This was done without the proper boilers and other vehi-
cles for this purpofe, and without any other knowledge of the
matter than what common reafon diétated. By this alone we
may fee, that it is not impoflible to make falt in Iceland.

* Mr. Anderfon fays, there is no common falt to be found in any part of this
ifland.

CHAP,

a

22

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.

G THE APS KX,

Concerning forcfs and trees.

BEFORE obferved, that forefts and wood .are fcarce in

this country, yet not fo very fearce as fome travellers have.
reprefented. In the north diftri@ is a wood: called Fniofkadal,
about four Englifh miles and a half long. In the fame diftri@ are
feveral of the kind; and but few farms there, are without a little
adjoining nurfery of young trees, fome as thick as an arm *. ‘This
north diftri@, whichis alfo called to this day the diftri& of Thingée,
from an ifland fo called, where formerly aflizes ufed to be held,
has, befides the aforefaid Fniofkadal, another pretty large wood, by
name Aafkov, and feveral others lefs-confiderable +. Theré is
a wood as large: as either of the former eaftward, in the diftri@
of Mule, which is called Hallormftade, and another in the fouth
quarter in the diftri@ of Borgefiord, called Huulefell. It is
therefore plain, that there are many woods: in the feveral quar=
ters and divifions of this ifland; but in proportion to its extent
and bignels, it may with a del of juftnefs be faid, that there is
a fcarcity. However, this want is compenfated in feveral places,
by. the | great quantities of fine large timber, that every year
comes floating afhore. Of this they have more than they know
what to do with; for being under no neceffity to confume it,
they let it lie in heaps a rot, not having veffels to tranfport it
to their fellow-countrymen, who want it in other parts of the ©
ifland. Befides the woods already mentioned, fhrubs and buthes
lie fcattered about, fome high enough to fhade one from the
fun. Thefe fhrubs confift for the better part of juniper and
blackberry bufhes, of which the people burn charcoal for their

® Mi Anderfon fays, that there are no .trees in the whole ifland, except in the
northern parts but that a Copenhagen merchant told him, that Latics Huufvi
and Olfiord (rather Oefiord) about 36 Englifh miles diftant from ‘each other, he
came ‘into 2 wood four or five Englifh miles long.

+ The fame Author fays he was informed, that near Thingore abbey, there is a
fmall wood chiefly of birch trees; but he confounds Thingore abbey with Thingoe.

Ft He alfo alledges, that in other parts of the ifland, there are only to be
feen along the rivers a few low: water willows, and blackberry..and juniper-berry ”
bufhes, of which the inhabitants are very faving, ufing them only to burn charcoal
of for their forges.

forges,

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.

forges. ‘The numerous families in this ifland, and all thofe that
live near the fea coaft, have boats, houfes, chefts, cupboards,
&c. with doors, locks and keys, and as I before obferved, live
at fuch diftance from each other, that they cannot eafily lend
a mutual affiftance ; for which reafon they are obliged to keep
in their houfes an apparatus for various forts of mechanical func-
tions, and though ever fo poor, have at leaft a {mith’s forge,
which they-cannot difpenfe with *. The fmith’s work they do
themfelves, every one as well as he can, as alfo every other kind
-of mechanical bufinefs, they are under a neceffity of perform-
ing. There is fome reafon to think, that in ancient days there
was no fearcity of wood in this ifland. This I cannot afcertain
for fact; becaufe not the leaft fign appears that ever pine or fir-
_trees grew in this ifland, though the forefts in the northern and
‘much colder countries generally confift, of pine and fir-trees.
No other kind of trees but birch is feen; perhaps the feed
of the former was never brought here; for I prefume that there
is no room to doubt, but that they would have grown here as
well as in more fevere climates. In feveral places, roots of trees
have been found in the ground; from whence it may be fup-
pofed with good reafon, that in former days woods ftood in the
parts that are now plains, without a tree to be feen+. A very
extraordinary fort of wood, which they call forte brand, or black
brand, very hard, heavy and black, like ebony, is found
fomewhat deep in the ground, in broad, thin, and pretty long
pannels or leaves, fit for a moderate fize table. It is generally
wavy or undulated, and is always found between the rocks or
great ftones, wedged, as it were, quite clofe in. At firft, on
confidering its fituation, I was very doubtful whether it was
wood or a petrification; but as it could be planed and managed
in every refped like wood, the dhavings alfo having the appear-
ance of fuch, I was induced to think that it is nothing but
wood. However, as a very extraordinary phenomenon, it may
deferve a longer diflertation than this hiftorical account will ad-
mit of,

* Mr. Anderfon fays there are but very few fmiths forges in the ifland.
+ The fame Author fays, a kind of very hard rotten wood is found under ground,

ie CHAP,

33

34

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.

C;H AP. XXL
Concerning the pafture-land and grafs. .

LL over the ifland are feen {pacious tracts, that yield plenty

of fine grafs for feeding of cattle, which are here kept
during the whole fummer, till the fevere cold weather comes
in”, In fome places, though left out all the year round, and
for years together, they grow exceeding fat, and as fine as can
be wifhed. The reafon why the feveral diftrids of the north
country have the greateft reputation for breeding of cattle, is,
becaufe the inhabitants make it their chief trade; thofe of other
parts of the ifland relying more on their fifheries, and fome
entirely depending upon fifhing, whereby they negle& the breed-
ing of cattle, though they have as fine grafs, and as good
conveniencies for this purpofe as any in the north. Rather
than to attribute this to negle&, properly fpeaking, the inhabi-
tants are too few to attend both articles. It is certain, that the
grafs grows fafter in the north country than in the fouth; for
fometimes the fnow hardly difappearing till midfummer, no grafs
is obferved to fprout up ; but in about 12 or 14 days after, it grows
near two foot high, exceeding fine, and fit to be mowed. This
probably may be accounted for from the fnow’s continually co-
vering the ground, and warming, and defending it from the froft.
In the midft of fummer alfo, the fun (in this latitude) continues
fo long above the horizon, that vegetation is thereby greatly pro-
moted. The fame cannot be faid of the fouth parts, where the
fnow not conftantly covering the earth, they muft naturally be
liable to the ufual injuries of frofts. Befides what has been re-
Jated of the manner they keep their cattle, by fending them to
pafture in the mountains, at fome diftance from their farms and
habitations, it is to be underftood, that none are kept at home,
or near their houfes, which they generally contrive to build on
or near a fertile fpot of ground, fomewhat remote from the —

* Mr. Anderfon fays, that though the lay of mould that covers the rocks, fand,
fulphur, ftones, 8c. be very thin, yet very good pafture-land is met with, efpeci-
ally in the northern countries along the rivers and lakes, the grafs growing there
2 foot high. ;

mountains.

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.

mountains. Every farm has fuch a field or piece of ground,
which the Icelanders calls Tun. It is watched by dogs, that
none of the cattle may come near it. They manure it in the
beft manner they refpectively can afford for the producing of
grafs, which they-mow down, and referve for a winter fupply.
As for the grafs that grows in the mountains, they always let the
cattle eat it, and never cut any down %, Thefe (Tuner) or
meadows, are generally very clear from rocks or ftones. Many,
no doubt, of them (for they cannot be all alike) are uneven and
have a great many little hillocks and {tones upon them, together
with rocks rifing out of the ground; but it cannot be faid, that
all are indifcriminately fo, or that the country is all over craggy
and rugged ; for even in the very mountains are found large and
fine fertile plains, which are never mowed, though not any wife
incumbered with ftones or hillocks. They cut down their grafs,
and get in their hay with as much eafe as any where in Den-
mark. They alfo ufe the fame inftruments. Their fcythes ’tis
true, are not quite fo long, neither is the blade fo broad, by reafon
of their not having it in their power to manage fuch long ones in
hilly or ftony grounds. With thofe they ufe, they difpatch a
great deal of work, one man being able to cut down 30 {quare
fathom a day.

CHAP. XXII.
Whether there are wholfome herbs and roots in this ifland.

MONG the feveral herbs and roots of the growth of this
ifland, and very beneficial to the health of the human

body, is the Cochlearia and Aceto/a, with many others. A botanift
would certainly find here very good amufement. I mutt not
omit mentioning the angelica root, which is found in abun-
dance, and of an uncommon fize and goodnefs. Some places
produce fuch great quantities of it, that the inhabitants ufe it for
food, and it agrees extremely well with them. They have no no-
* Mr. Anderfon fays, that what the cattle and fheep leave in the fields, is cut and
gathered for the winter, but in a painful and toilfome manner, the ground being fo
uneven, full of mole-hills, ftones and rubbifh, that they cannot int ufe of a fcythe

to cut it down, but muft ufe a fmall hand fickle, with which they carefully cut the
grafs between the hillocks, ftones, and little rocks,

tion

35

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.

tion of taking any of thefe things by way of medicine, be-
ing a very healthy people, and as little afflicted with difeafes as
any nation whatever”, ‘They make no great ufe of cochlearia,
but of acetofa they do, to mix with their drink, which is the
whey of four milk, and called by them Syre. This herb or root
they put to it merely to increafe the quantity. It is an adulte-
ration, as they call it; for when this herb is mixed with the
whey, it will not keep ; for which reafon, they fay their good
whey is adulterated by it. Thus they make no great account of
ufing it, neither do they think it wholfome, but rather a deceit,
or only out of neceffity. There is another herb called Mu/cus
Catharéticus Iflandie, or mountain grafs, which they cook up
into a delicate difh. I have often eat of it; at firft out of cu-
riofity, but aftérwards for its palateablenefs and wholfomnefs +.
The excellent qualities of this herb are deferibed in the memoirs
of the fociety of arts and {ciences in Sweden. It grows in great
abundance, and thofe that live near the places where it grows,
gather great quantities for their own ufe, and to fend to market.
People that live at a great diftance will fend and fetch horfe loads
away. Many ufe no meal or flower at all, when they are ftock-
ed with this herb, which in every refpect is good and wholfome
food. It is a fort of mofs, and only grows on the rocks. There
is another herb confounded with this, called Fioru-grafs. It is
a fea weed, thrown up by the fea, and found at low water.
The cattle are fond of it, and it is gathered by the inhabitants
at ebb tide, which Icelanders call Fiore, from whence this weed
has the name of Fiore-grafs.

CR He Be SXKIOE
Concerning the fruits of the earth,

LL kinds of things may be produced fit for a kitchen-
garden, and brought to proper maturity, and why not;
for this ifland is as proper for vegetation as Norway, having large

* Mr. Anderfon fays, that God’s providence caufes a great quantity of wholfome
and medicinal herbs to grow here, fuitable to the climate, and the difeafes of the
country.

+ The fame Author fays he has been told of an herb found only in a few places,
of which his author could neither give him the name, nor defcription, further than
that when boiled in milk, it taftes like a millet pudding, ~

plains

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAN D.
plains and fields, and a great deal of good ground *. With re-

gard to the climate and piercing north winds, I will refer my
readers to the meteorological obfervations I made there two years
fucceffively. ”Thefe obfervations may be feen in the conclufion
of this work. By them, I am fatisfied, it will plainly appear,
that the cold during thefe two winters, in the fouth part of the
country, was not feverer than at Copenhagen. Nay, I queftion
if the weather is not often colder there. How far thofe pierc-
ing north winds extend, may likewife be feen in the tables of
thefe meteorological obfervations. The laft winter I made thefe
obfervations in, was reckoned by the inhabitants much feverer
than the winters in general are. It is plain, from what I have
related, that there is nothing here to obftrud vegetation, more
than in Norway or Denmark. In the yeat 1749, when I
came to Beffefted, one of his majefty’s palaces or feats in Ice-
land, I found the garden in excellent order, and full of all kinds
of vegetables fit for a kitchen, fuch as parfley, fallary, thyme,
marjoram, cabbage, parfnips, carrots, turnips, peas, beans, in
fhort, all forts of greens wanted in a family. I can vouch with
the greateft truth, that I never faw a garden with better things
of the kind in it. They were all of good growth, and had all
the properties that good garden ftuff ought to have. ‘They were
alfo in fuch plenty, that confiderable parcels of them were dried,
and laid by for the winter, fuch as fugar-peas, and the like, I
myfelf have taken up a turnip that weighed two pounds and a half.
Hereby I do not intimate that all were fo big, but only that they
are of a very good fize. They have goofeberry bufhes that pro-
duce fine and ripe berries, Thus there is no manner of doubt,
but that various fruit trees would bear here, and bring their fruit
to maturity, provided they were properly and carefully managed,
The greateft difficulty is to get the trees over, in order to be
tranfplanted in a right feafon, which is loft, by reafon that the
fhips for this voyage leave not Copenhagen till the middle of
May, at which time all trees are in bloom. However, with
proper care and caution they might be brought there, and made

* Mr. Anderfon tells us, that the earth will produce no fruit, chiefly on account
of the badnefs of the foil, the exceffive cold, and north winds. Experiments, he
fays, have often been made with various roots, but all to no purpofe,

j to

37

38

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.

to thrive. Gardens are not only met with at Beflefted, the
king’s feat, but alfo at the feats of the bithops, juftices, and
foene of the lawyers; fo that, there are gardens in every part of
the ifland, and even in the moft northern parts. At Skalholt,
they have produced fine white cabbages, That the fruits of the
earth do not attain the fame perfection every where in all parts
of this ifland, is not owing either to the ground or the air, but to
the ignorance of thofe, who neither properly prepare the ground,
nor fow in due feafon. Here the fault lies; and it is not there-
fore furprizing, if things will not thrive. \I have feen two gar-

ens adjoining each other, but very different in their produce,
That which was beft fituated to receive the fun, and was fhelter-
ed from the wind more than the other, was in the worft condi-
tion: a remarkable inftance, which fhews plainly, that the
ground in general may be cultivated in Iceland, though the
winters are fevere. I faw fome cabbage in a garden, the latter
end of Autumn in 1750, which by being neglected, was run
to feed. This feed was then perfectly ripe, but being left to it-
felf, dropt off, and in the {pring of 1751, a great number of
young cabbages fprung up all round from the fallen feed which
had planted itfelf, although the winter happened to be a very fe-
vere one, and the feed as good as lay on the top of the ground in a
very er Ke part of the garden, where little or no fun
could come *. After fo many inftances, who can be under any
doubt of eis country’s producing vegetables, or can fay, that
the earth will not bring forth any fruit ?

CHAP. XXIV.

Concerning the cultivating of the land.

HAT has been already faid of the earth, the air, and
their properties, will determine partly the prefent fub-
jet; which is, whether the earth can be cultivated and made.
to produce corn +. The ground that will produce garden fruit,

q

* Mr. Anderfon fays, they have often attempted to fow turnips, and various other
toots, but always in vain; for nothing could be brought to maturity.

+ The fame Author fays, that the ground cannot be cultivated, fo as to be made
capable of producing corn.

I pre-

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.

I prefume, will likewife produce corn. In ancient days, the far-
mers cultivated the land, and-fowed corn for their own ufe.
This is beyond contradi@ion; the people relate it, and it has
been handed down to them from generation to generation. Be-
fides, among their old laws are feveral chapters concerning
ploughed lands, and land for fowing corn ; by which it is alfo
obfervable, that feveral difputes and law-fuits had hereupon ex-
ifted. Thefe laws would certainly have never been made, un-
Jefs corn and other grain had been aétually fown. Even to this
day, fome pieces of land are met with, which are divided like
corn-fields, and feem to have been ploughed, and properly tilled.
Several farms, plains and fields, ftill bear the name of agre, or
plough’d land; as for inftance; Akrekot and Akregierde, both
adjoining Beffefted ; Akrenefs, about.18 Englifh miles from it,
and near it a place called Akrefield: all which ferve to confirm
that the inhabitants formerly plowed and fowed their lands. How
this moft effential part of hufbandry has happened to be fet afide,
and how all the people have forgot to plow and fow, is not fo
eafily accounted for, unlefs we charge it to that dreadful plague
called fortedod, which raging with fo much violence in the
fourteenth century, almoft wafted this ifland of all its inhabi-
tants, and left none able to till the land. By this means, agri~
culture was entirely neglected and forgot, and fince that time,
in the annals of this country, no mention is made of tilling,
manuring, or cultivating any land. At prefent, there is a pro-
{pect, with the blefling of God, of reviving that part of hufban-
dry ; his Danifh majefty, having fent thither from Denmark and
Norway able hufbandmen to introduce tillage, and to inftrué the
inhabitants how to cultivate and improve their land. If all the
land m Iceland was tilled that is fit for this purpofe, more ara-
ble land would be found than in all Seeland and Fyen together.
There is no occafion to take any trouble with thofe lands that
are ftony and fandy, The other grounds which have refted now
fome hundred years are fufficient, and they ftand in no need of
any manure, though if they did, manure is not wanting; but I
am very certain, if the ground is properly managed, it will
produce excellent grain without any manure. In like manner,
I I am

40

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.

I am not of opinion, that the fummer, or warm weather, is of
too fhort continuance to bring any thing to maturity. If the
warm weather continues long enough to bring moft things
wanted in a kitchen garden to proper maturity and perfedtion,
and afterwards to feed, there is no doubt of the fame being long
enough alfo to produce grain, which by the annals of the coun-
try we find has been. One need only remark, how very quick
the grafs grows here, and as I before obferved, how in fome
places it runs up in the fpace of 12 or 14 days two foot high.
The heat of the fun operates better than in more fouthern cli-
mates, and promotes vegetation in a ftronger degree ; for what-
ever is fowed, though later than in the countries more to the
fouth, the fame ftill ripens in feafon, and even in colder climates.
than Iceland. In Lapland, where it is much colder, they fow,
reap and gather in their harveft, all in the {pace of fix or feven
weeks. The reverend Mr. Hogeftrom gives an account in the
memoirs of the Royal Society of Sweden, of rye in the fpace of
66, and corn in 58 days fown, and grown to perfec ripenefs..
Why fhould not the fame happen in Iceland, where the fum-
mers are both warmer and longer than in Lapland, which is
proved by meteorological obfervations made in both places. In
fhort, nothing but experience fhall ever make me believe the con-
trary. It is very probable, the feed may not profper every year
alike, which fometimes happens in moft countries +. . Iceland
at prefent, muft be fupplied by other countries with meal, flour,
and bread, great quantities of which are annually imported.
Each harbour is furnifhed with, according to the number of
the neighbouring inhabitants, from 300 to 600 tun of meal,
befides bifcuit, of which they generally are provided with one
third, in proportion to the quantity of flour or meal. The in-
habitants purchafe according to their abilities, and fome ftock
themfelves fo well, that they are never in want of bread all

* Mr. Anderfon fays, that no corn can grow in this ifland ; for if even the inhabi-
tants were to put themfelves to the labour and pains of removing and gathering up
all the ftones fcattered about on the ground, and of cultivating and manuring it,
the fummer, or warm weather is of fo fhort a duration, that nothing can be brought
to proper maturity.

+ The fame Author repeats here again as another reafon, why the earth will not
bring forth fruit, and this is, becaufe every where it is impregnated with fulphur.

the

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.

the year round. Thofe that have it not in their power to do
the like, muft make other fhifts; but it cannot be faid of any
of them, that they know not what bread is. In the diftrict of
Skaftefleld grows a fort of wild corn, of which the inhabitants
make bread, and though growing wild, it is in every refpect as
good as the Danifh; nay, they will not exchange it for the fo-
reign that is imported. This grows in fand, and the feed that

drops off fows itfelf, and produces new corn regularly every year. |

The ftraw, which is very good, they ufe to thatch their houfes
with. This ferves alfo fora proof, that corn may grow there,
and that it will attain to a proper maturity. _ At leaft they may
fow the feed that grows wild in every part-of the ifland, this
very feed, in all probability, being the pelics of what they for-

merly fowed their ground with.

Cl Ae: XXV.
Concerning fea-weeds, and vegetables of the ocean.

HERE is a weed or vegetable that grows in the fea, called

Alga-marina Saccharifera, and ‘by the Icelanders Sol.
This the cattle are very fond of, and the fheep alfo greedy
after it, are often loft by going too far out from the land at
low water. It is very nourifhing and fattens them, and the
people alfo fond of it, gather and ufe it for their own eating,
and fell it to thofe that dwell in the interior parts, where it bears
half the price of dry fifh. Hence it may be concluded, that as
it is a thing the natives are fond of, they do not eat it out of
{carcity or neceflity. On the contrary, they always choofe to
have fome of it by them. It is alfo very wholfome food, and
it may be faid, that in this one particular, the ocean imparts a
great blefling to this land. For a defcription at large of this
weed or vegetable, I will refer my readers to a differtation pub-
lifhed by Mr. Biarne Poulfon an Icelander, and ftudent in phy-

fic, concerning the Alea marina Saccharifera*. Befides this

* Mr. Anderfon fays, that he could not be informed of any other fea-weed than
the Alga marina, which both frefh and dry, for want of hay, they give their cattle.
ft fattens thems but makes the meat very naufeous. In time of diftrefs, the people
alfo ufe it for food.

M vege-

AL

42

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.

vegetable of the ocean, there are many other fea-weeds and herbs,
which the fheep and cattle run greedily in queft of, though they
have good grafs. Moft likely it is the falt tafte in all thefe
weeds, that makes them fo palatable. ‘The natives have pecu-
liar names for the many fea-weeds and herbs found here, which
is a fcience alone in itfelf. Coral is fometimes found, but few
are curious enough to fearch for it. When it appears, it is fo
chiefly by accident, as when fifhing hooks happen to catch hold
of any. It were to be wifhed, that fome would think it worth
their while to inftitute a coral fifhery. Since the above-mentioned
ftudent in phyfic has began and given a treatife on one herb
or weed, he may probably purfue fo laudable an undertaking,
more efpecially as he now is there, and maintained at the king’s
expence for fome fuch purpofe, or to make a general collection
of curious and extraordinary things *.

G.F <A, Po AAXAVT,
Whether there are wild beafts in this ifland.

EARS are fometimes feen there, but they come from
B Greenland on the floating ice, and are not native but fo-
reign guefts, and fuch as the inhabitants do not choofe to natu-
ralize among them +. Therefore fo foon as a bear is feen to fet
foot on land, or his track is noticed, they ceafe not in their pur-
fuit, till they have found and deftroyed him, without much ce-
remony. Thofe that live along the coaft have a fharp look out
in winter and fpring, to fee whether the floating ice brings any.
bearst. They are likewife careful to furvey the {now for the
footfteps of that animal; and if they difcover any, one man alone
is not afraid to purfue, attack, and kill him, and that generally
with a gun, though many ufe fpears. In the northern diftria,
near Langenefs, where bears often come afhore, there lived an

* Mr. Anderfon declares, it is a pity that botanifts, efpecially Germans, have not
attempted to collect and defcribe the fea-weeds and herbs that are here found in great
abundance and variety.

+ The fame Author afferts, that no kind of wild beafts, either noble or ignoble,
or beafts of prey, are here met with but the fox.

t He alfo fays, that as foon as they difcover the footfteps of a bear, they affemble
like a little army, and leave not off their purfuit till they have deftroyed him. id

O

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.

old man but lately dead, who had killed more than twenty
in his time, and though a good markfman, always made
ufe of a fpear. He was greatly delighted when he faw a bear,
and would purfue him alone, with no other armour than his
fpear, and never failed of victory, by charging him in front,
and running the fpear into his breaft. This man did not dege-
nerate from his ancient fore-fathers, the valiant Norwegians; nor
did he want to raife an army to defeat a bear. If a bear un-
awares comes upon a man, who is not ufed to fuch an encounter,
or has not power to refift, the bear may very likely fall upon
him; but the natives here know pretty well how to get out of
the way, by throwing fomething at him to amufe him, A glove
is very proper for this purpofe ; for he will not ftir till he has
turned even every finger of it infide out; and as they are not
very dextrous with their paws, this takes up fome time, and in
the mean while the perfon makes off. It once happened in the
northern diftri@, that a perfon was killed by one of them; but
the Icelanders are ufually very vigilant that none fhould fettle
among them, chiefly on account of their cattle. Befides, there
is a reward for the hide, which muft be delivered to the juftice
of the peace for the king. The Greenland bear fkins are count-
ed the fineft and beft that are, being white, grey, brown, and
fpotted.

ee Oke} CA AVT,

Concerning the Fox.

OXES are the only wild beafts in Iceland, and of them

there is great ftore*. They are generally of a dark red
colour, (as the Icelanders call it) whereof are alfo a great many
of the fheep. This is the common colour of foxes in Nor-
way and Denmark. ‘The black ones, which are very {carce,
are not natives of Iceland, but fometimes are driven hither on
flakes of ice. There are many white, and but very few grey.
Thofe that are white are fo always, and don’t change their co-

+ Mr. Anderfon fays, that the foxes in this country are never red ; a few are black,
and the reft grey in the fummer, and white in winter.

lour

43

44

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.

lour either winter or fummer, which I myself can witnefs : nei-
ther do thofe of other colours fuffer any confiderable change,
except when they caft their coat, at which time every
creature differs in its appearance, a thing common and known
by all. They ufe a kind of gin to catch them in, which
they call a fox-fhear; but more frequently deftroy them by
dragging the ftinking carcafs of a dead horfe a good way about,
which they leave on fome field". The {mell invites numbers
together to feed on the carrion, near which the people ftand
prepared to fhoot them, and thus deftroy a great many at
once. It was alfo cuftomary with them to dig deep holes, and
make traps for them, in the manner of the wolf-traps in Nor-
way ; but this way they have quite left off. Foxbane they
make no great ufe of, not having the ingredients in their coun-
try, even the honey,*that is ufed therein they muft import, which
makes the drug too expenfive for them. ‘Thefe feveral ways
they endeavour to deftroy that hurtful animal the fox, that often
robs them of a great many of their fheep.

CHA, Pr OX VAR

Concerning horfes.

HE horfes are properly of the Norwegian breed, their

fires being imported from that country, though parheps
fome of them came from Scotland, the Icelanders in ancient
times, having carried on with that people a confiderable trade.
From them a great many Iceland words were introduced in the
Englith, which I could not find out the derivation of,. till
I became acquainted with the Iceland language. The horfes
are not all equally fmall, a great many being large, and all in
general very ftrong, lively, and brifk. ‘They are the tameft crea-

tures I ever met with. Some of the ftone-horfes are very mettle-

fome, as they ufually are in moft places ¢. The horfes that are

* Mr. Anderfon fays, that they are very induftrious in catching foxes in nets and
traps, much like a taylor’s fhears, and rather this way, than by fhooting at them,
out of a natural averfion to fire arms.

+ Bifhop Pontoppidan, in his natural hiftory of Norway, defcribes the wolf-
traps ufed there.

t Mr. Anderfon fays, that the horfes in Iceland, are extremely vicious and un-
tractable. 4

fet

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.

fet apart for labour in the fummer, are kept out all the year
round, and never come into any ftable *. - They break the ice,
and fcrape it away with their hoofs, till they get at the ground
for fomething to nourifh them. The faddle horfes are kept in
a ftable during the whole winter. Their fuperfluous horfes they
mark, and afterwards turn out into the mountains, and there
let them run for years together. Whenever they want them,
they are obliged to catch them ina {nare ; for they are entirely
wild. Ægreat many foal in the mountains, but the owners watch
the time, and take care to mark the young foals. Among thefe
wild horfes are fome very fierce and formidable ftone-horfes, who
refolutely defend their own feraglio. Before they are caught and
tamed, they will fly at the people that ride on the backs of other
horfes to take them, and they often kill young ftone-horfes out of
jealoufy. If they tame thefe horfes when they are about five or
fix years old, they turn out very fine, keep their fat, and
are never fenfible of any cold weather. The horfes kept entire-
ly for labour, and out all the year round, are exceflive hardy,
and very ftrong. In the winter they have longer and thicker
hair, which helps them to bear the cold better, but towards
fummer they get a new coat, and are very fmooth and handfome.

Cok JAP: XXIX.
Concerning the foeep:

HE fheep in general are as big as in Norway, Sweden,
and Denmark, and I found them much alike in fize in
all the parts of Iceland I travelled through. At Skaftefield they

let the weather-fheep run about the mountains, all the year

round, without ever houfing them ; but fuch as give milk, they

keep within in fevere weather. This cuftom is not univerfal all
over the ifland, for eaftward and northward, at Arnefs and Bor-
gefiorrs, and indeed in moft places, where they make it their
bufinefs to breed cattle, all their fheep, mares, and cows, are
houfed every night, and in fevere weather kept in all day,
and at no time ever turn’d out in the fnow. Every farmer is

* Mr. Anderfon fays, that the horfes are kept to grafs, and expofed to all wea-
thers all the year round,

N pro-

45

46

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.
provided with ftables and folds fufficient for his flock of fheep,

in the midft of which is a manger for hay*. I have feen
four or five fuch fheep-folds to each farm, where they keep
feperate the lambs, the weathers, and the fheep. At Guld-
bringe, and a few other places, where they keep hardly
any fheep, they have no fheep-folds; neither do I think
they have any great occafion for them: for the two winters I
was there, the cold was not too great for the fheep to be out
during the whole winter, except three or four weeks in each,
at which time fome of the farmers, more tender than others,
took the lambs into their houfes, and fed them ; becaufe the lambs
under a year cannot bear the cold fo well as vs old fheep, who’e
backs are better covered to keep it out. There are caves
and holes in the mountains capable of fheltering 100 or more
fheep, where they very cordially retreat in bad weather. 'Thefe
holes are in fuch mountains as have formerly burned, and are of
infinite fervice to them both winter and fummer; in the winter
for fhelter, and in the fummer for very good pafture, which
they find in plenty all about +. No inconveniency is apprehend~
ed from this their abode, except the treachery of their mortal
enemy the fox, who harbours or. lurks generally in thofe places,
on account of the many holes and apertures in the rocks, and to
pick up a nice fat bit among the fheep. If they happen to. be
out in frofty weather, they can make fhift to fcrape away the
frozen fnow and ice, to get at the grafs underneath i. As for mofs,
they never eat any, and I never heard but that lie was always
grafs enough upon the ground to fatisfy the fheep. Though
they have folds or houfing for their fheep, where they keep them

in the winter, yet when there is not much fnow, and the weather )

‘is fine and fair, they presclbnt turn them out, partly to refrefh

* Mr. Anderfon fays, the fheep are very fmall, and are put to as great hardfhips
as the horfes; for they never are taken in, but fuffered to be out in all weathers all.
the year round; their chief fhelter, if any, being under the rocks, and in caves and
holes.

+ According to the fame Author, the fheep always in winter keep clofe by the horfes,
and continually follow them, becaufe in frofty weather they cannot with their fect
break through the ice and fnow; but when the horfes have broke the way, they then
can make fhift to get at a little mofs, (which the horfes leave) for their nourifhment.

F He alfo afferts, that the fheep have been feen through hunger and Te yes
to eat of the horfes tails.

them,

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.

them, and partly to fave provender at home, a good deal of the

latter being required for 4 or 500 fheep belonging to one

man. If it happens, when out, that fuddenly bad weather fhould ©

come, together with ftorms of hail and now, they may fome-
times be driven by the wind down to the fea-fide, and many of
them may perifh*. Nay, I have feen even in fummer a flock
of fheep carried away by a ftorm 60 or 70 Englifh miles. In
the winter they may be alfo catched in heavy fhowers of fnow,
and buried in it, efpecially as they generally feck the valleys at
that time, and they may poflibly be two or three yards under
the fnow, and loft for feveral days, till the weather admits their
owners to feek after and releafe them +. In order to find them,
they look out for a hole in the fnow, which indicates that the
fox has been there. By his fcent he can find them out better
than the people can with all their fagacity. The fheep are often
refcued without any hurt. Sometimes they have been fcrouged
and crufhed by the heavy weight of {now upon them, but this
happens according to the fituation of their place of refuge f.
Sometimes they happily get to a cave, where they are well fe-
cured, but it is a general rule with the Icelanders, to keep them
within when they fufpeé any fuch weather. When the fheep
are thus buried in the fnow, and are obliged to ftand a few days
under it, they are often fo pinched with hunger, that they eat
the wool off from one another’s backs, which they make fhift
of for fubfiftence, till their deliverance. All fheep will not do
this: fome do, and get fuch a habit of it, that ever after they
follow the fame practice ; but as foon as the proprietor obferves
it, he kills them out of the way, on one fide, to prevent their be-
coming fickly, and on the other, the fpoiling of the coat of the
reft, whereof, if ftripped, they cannot bear the cold fo well.

* Mr. Anderfon fays, that when it both fnows and blows hard, the fheep have
been carried before the wind from the mountains down to the fea, where they have

rifhed.
ites He again fays, that when heavy fnow falls, they are fometimes buried in it,
and generally creep together, and with their heads clofe to one another, to let the
fnow fall upon their backs; but fometimes are fo frozen together, that they cannot be
feparated.

ft His opinion is, that from fuch a flock of fheep, a warm effluvium arifes,
which opens a hole in the center of them like a chimney, whereby they are found
out. |

Youn g

47

4.8

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.

Young colts and calves have often the habit of laying hold of
the horfes tails, and nibbling them, which will, as well as the
wool in the fheep, gather up in balls as big as a walnut, and lie
in the ftomach undigefted. In the fouth parts they do not tend
the fheep fo well as in the north country, which there, is their
principal concern. They feldom houfe them in thefe fouthern
diftris, by reafon of the {nows annoying them but little ; which
according to my own obfervations, I never remarked above
a foot deep at a time. They keep no fhepherds to watch them,
but to the eaftward, and in the north they do, whofe fole. oc-
cupation it is to give attendance, with a horfe or two allowed
them, and a couple of dogs trained up for this purpofe. In the
fummer thefe fhepherds take care of the cows, and in the win-
ter, if the weather be fine, they turn out all the cattle, and at
night drive them home again. .-The fouth inhabitants think this
not worth their while, becaufe they keep but few, though.
fome farmers among them have from 100 to 500 fheep, befides
oxen, cows, horfes and mares. But as this ifland is very large,
it is natural to think, that in places very remote, their oeconomy
muft be very different.. One, who has only been in the fouth,
mutt give as poor and as contemptible an account of their man-
ner of keeping and breeding fheep and other cattle, as one who
had only been in the north, of the Iceland fifhing and fitheries.
Both would conceive a very wrong idea of the ifland, and con-
fequently muft give as indifferent a defcription, as many have al-
ready done, by only touching at particular places. ‘The wool
of thefe fheep is of different finenefs and goodnefs, as I appre-
hend it is every where. When forted and prepared, they make
tolerable good cloth of it: but exclufive of the wool, God in
his goodnefs, has provided thefe animals with an extraordinary
coat, the better to endure the feverity of the climate. For this
purpofe there grows a very coarfe wool much longer, extending
over, and covering the other wool. This the Icelanders call
tog, which when mix'd with the other wool, it appears
very coarfe, but when carefully picked away, is not fo very
coarfe, but that it makes very good woollen ftuff. The coarfe
they fpin thread of, which is very ftrong, and is commonly ufed
to few with. It is not always feparated, when brought to mar-

2 ket,

NATURAL HISTORY of JCELAND.

ket, to be fold to the merchant; and as ‘before obferved, it
appears in that condition, extremely coarfe and rough. Their
manner alfo of fheering it, renders it worfe to appearance ; for
"they never cut it till the fkin is flead) off the fheep, which
they lay on their knees, and fcrape the wool off with a knife, by
which means a deal of dirt and filth is at the fame time fcraped
and rolled up with it. In the fpring of the year, towards the
beginning of the warm weather, the wool falling off of itfelf,
they watch and keep the fheep nearer home, that they fhould
not lofe the wool. When it is quite ready to fall, the people
pull it off quite clean, and afterwards fend them adrift. By
degrees they get a new coat again before the cold weather comes
in”, I have before obferved, that the fheep, commonly {peak-
ing, are kept near the houfes in the winter, when the weather
is fevere ; that a fhepherd is appointed to watch them, and that
" in the time of milking them, they never turn them out in the
mountains, except where fome have feler or hutts to live in, and
to houfe the fheep and cattle in the plains that lie between the
mountains in the heart of the ifland +. Among thefe fhepherds,
fome are fo expert, that at one view in a flock of two or
300, they can tell whether any of their fheep are miffing, which
are, and what ftrange ones may be among them. ‘They have a
couple of dogs taught on purpofe to keep them together, and
to drive them wherever they pleafe. They make ufe of no horn,
or any other fignal than a hallow, which both dogs and fheep
have learned to underftand, and in this manner they manage them,
that every man may eafily mufter all his own fheep together,
without much lofs of time. When the merchants at the meat

* Mr. Anderfon fays, the fheep drop their coat about.the middle of the fummer,
and that the outfide coarfe wool ferves to preferve them from the extreme feverity of
the weather and piercing cold. But in order to fave the wool at the time they caft it,
they are obliged to hunt and bring them together. For this purpofe, the huntfman
going to the top of a hill with his dogs, and founding a fignal with his horn, the dogs
feparate, and drive the fheep together from all corners into a pen, which is narrow at

the entrance, but wide at the farther end, to prevent their flipping out again. At —

the time they kill their weather-fheep for victualling the fhipping, which lie in the
meat harbour ready to take in their cargo, they are obliged to drive them together
in the fame manner, which is done in the prefence of judges, to prevent the difputes
that may arife about any one’s claiming another’s property ; and as they are all inter-
mixed, every one may go to the pen, and claim his fheep by his own mark.

‘ Bifhop Pontoppidan, in his natural hiftory of Norway, defcribes the places they

call Seler,
O or

49

5°

NATURAL HISTORY of [CHELAN D.

or flaughter harbour, want to. buy, up any quantity, they give
notice fome time beforegcupon which one man from each farm
in the parifh. or, diftriét; they; intend to buy. of, meet together on
an appointed: day, to, go-fo the mountains and look. for their
fheep: When arrived at the place of deftination, the dogs col-
leg all the fheep in one flock, .and. fence them in, perhaps to
the amountjof. 8 or-10,000. —:-All-the fheep of the diftri@ be-
ing thus gathered together, and fenced in, each farmer picks out

_ his own fheep by the mark he has, put upon them, and; pens

them up. ‘As foon as each has his compleat number, they
draught out as many,as they -chufe to fell. This is their way of
colle@ting their fheep,’ which.they do two or three.times a year,
fo that thofe which efcape the firft time, ‘they get the fecond or
third, and.by this means ‘each perfon mufters together his. own
fheep before the winter, in order to bring them home and houfe
them, ‘This cuftom they callin their, language Saude-ret, which
is as much’as to fay to gather the fheep, that each man may pick
out his own by his mark. No difpute can likely arife ; for they
put.a' very diftin@ mark upon them, and each farmer in the di-
{trict is well acquainted with another’s mark. The affair is car-
ried on very peaceably among themfelves, though fometimes they
have judges and juftices to decide differences, who likewife have
their fheep there, but on their own account never appear in any
other character than as farmers or proprietors of land in the di-
ftrict. Some of the fheep have four horns, and fometimes be-
fides'them:a little one, which may be ‘called a fifth *: but thefe
beirig rather looked upon as curiofities, are ufually fent to Co-
penhagen for prefents. It cannot be faid that they are common
or all fo; for in a flock of 500, fcarce fix can be found with
four horns, and fewer with five. As’ for more than five, I never
faw nor heard of any fuch. A particular friend, who had a large
ftock of fheep, declared to me, he never faw any with more

_ than five ; and among all his flocks, he never had more than fix

at a time with four, and very rarely any with five’+. One third

* Mr. Anderfon fays, the fheep and rams have large curled horns, and generally
more than four; fome have even eight, and frequently one in the middle of their
forehead. Onthe,contrary, the ‘cattle, commonly called horned cattle, have here
no horns at all.» -' |

+ The fame Author fays, that the fheep in general have horns.

of |

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.

of the fheep here in general are without horns: even rams fome-
times, and weathers, which ufually have larger horns than the
fheep. Two horns is what is common here, as in moft other
countries. Among the many thoufand fheep delivered every
year to the trading, towns, very few have more than two
horns. A fheep with more horns bears a better price, and this
chiefly out of curiofity, and for the fake of rarity. Cows and
bullocks have horns, though fome have none; but northward
there are far more cows and fteers with, than without horns *.
I before obferved, that in moft parts of the ifland, the far-
mers make it their chief bufinefs to breed fheep, except in the
diftri& of Guldbringe, and I think they take a great deal of
pains to rear them all over the ifland +. Whilft the lambs fuck
their dams, they keep them at home, but when weaned, they
fend them adrift, yet towards winter drive them home again.
As the rams are let to run about among the fheep, to prevent un-
feafonable leaping, they tie a cloth under their bellies, which is
taken off towards Chriftmas. A great many fine young lamb-
fkins are exported from hence ; for the people killa great many
for their own eating, and many die by accidents ; but few are

deftroyed by birds of prey, being watched when they are

young if.
GEH A Pe XxX) å

Concerning goats.

HAVE before obferved, that at Thingoe, in the northern

diftri&, and at Mule and Borgefiord, are confiderable woods,
but chiefly in the firft place, and that there are in feveral places
little thickets, bufhes, fhrubs, and heath enough, confequently
no want of fuftenance for goats in this country. In fome places
are great numbers, particularly in the north diftrié&, where I may
fay, there is three times the number of goats to fheep §. Eaft-

* Mr. Anderfon fays that the cows and fteers in Iceland have no horns.
+ The fame Author fays in fome places their greateft trade is with fheep, and there
the farmers take more care of them, and turn only the weathers into the mountains.
t He alfo fays the ravens deftroy many of the young lambs.
§ His opinion is, that they cannot keep goats in Iceland for want of food for them,
which confifts of the young leaves of trees, i
ward

gt

52

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.

ward I have met with them alfo; they thrive very well, and
yield great ftore of milk.

CHAP. XXXI

Concerning cows and bullocks.

HE cattle in Iceland, both cows and bullocks, are as

fine as any I have met with in Denmark. The cows
yield a great deal of milk, I mean thofe of the better fort; for
there is a difference here in cattle as well as in other countries *.
Some cows yield 20 quarts of milk a day, others not above 10
or 12, and others lefs. This being a proper place to refume the
fubject concerning their horns, I cannot help obferyjng, that I be-
lieve upon a juft average, that in the whole ifland there are confi-
derably more with horns than without. I allow, that to the fouth
more are met with without horns; but northward, where the
ereateft number of cattle are bred, the horned have by far the
majority. I before obferved, that fheep as well as faddle-horfes
are kept in ftables in the winter, and there fed in proportion
to the foregoing harveft, which if bad, their allowance muft ne-
ceflarily be fcanty +. However, the farmer is careful to feed
his cows in the beft manner he poflibly can, chiefly for the fake
of the milk, a thing of too great confequence to be neglected.
The cows are fed with hay, and fometimes with a fea-weed called
fol, which they feem very fond of; but this weed is rather too
expenfive to feed cattle with; becaufe the inhabitants eat it -
themfelves, and fell it for half the value of dried filh. To the
fouth in the right fifhing places, where the moft populous part
of the country is, there is a neceflity of keeping many cows,
though pafture-land is fcarce, to compenfate which, the inhabi-
tants ufe their cows to eat filh bones boiled foft, as alfo to
drink the water they boil their ffhin. The cows in thefe parts, _

* Mr. Anderfon fays, that the fineft cattle they have in Iceland are not bigger than
the fmalleft in Germany, and obferves again, that in general they have no horns.

+ The fame Author fays, that the cows only and young {teers have the good for-
tune to be fhelter’d in the winter, and fed, though very fparingly, with hay, which
cofts the inhabitants a great deal of trouble and pains to get; when hay is wanting,

he adds, that they then feed them with a dried fea-weed called fol.

by

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.

by being accuftomed to this manner of food, like it well, thrive
upon it, and yield a deal of good milk.

CHAP. XXXII.

Concerning their milk, curds and whey.

HE Icelanders are very fond of milk, and always eat

it, either raw or boiled; but do not choofe that fick
people fhould eat it before boiled*. Their chief liquor for
drinking is whey, which they prepare in a particular man-
ner. They make their butter of fweet cream, and when the
butter is churned enough, they pour off the butter-milk, warm
it, and as it grows cold, put rennet into it to make it curdle.
Then they ftrain it through a linen cloth ; the curds they eat,
and the whey they keep for their common drink ; the older it
grows, the fourer and clearer it becomes. They keep it till it is
as four as vinegar, and make ufe of it to pickle with, but when
they drink it, they muft mix water with it.

CHAP. XXXIII.

Concerning butter and- cheefe.

S there is plenty of milk in this ifland, confequently there

mutt be a great deal of butter, which is generally made
of {weet cream. Firft, they ftrain this milk through a fieve, be-
fore they fkim it, and when the butter is churned, they put it
in tubs or firkins+. But when they fend their butter from
one place to another by horfes, they generally lay it up in
clean fheep-fkins, it being more convenient for the horfes to carry
it fo than in tubs ; this they do all over the country. They never
falt their butter, and even cannot bear the tafte of any falt in it ;
this I fay of the people in general, for fome among them, that
have travelled and been in Denmark, by learning to like falt-

* Mr. Anderfon fays, that milk is the Icelander’s chief medicine, and is ufed by
none but the fick, who take it juft as it comes from the cow.

+ The fame Author fays, that their butter is always full of hairs: for they never
ftrain their milk through any fieve, and when the butter is made, they put it in fheep-
fkins fowed up like bags.

P butter

53

54

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.

butter, falt theirs. Salt being a fcarce commodity in the ifland,
the people have ufed themfelves to eat it without, and the tafte
is therefore more agreeable to them. What can be alledged
againft cuftom, and who will difpute any one’s palate? Their
butter looks very well, and I could have eat it for the looks, if
my nofe did not tell me, that it could not tafte well *

CHAP. XXXIV.

The manner of flaughtering their cattle, and curing the meut.

HEY fometimes knock their cattle on the head to kill

them, and fometimes ftick them in the throat with a
knife +. The meat is generally eaten frefh, becaufe they do not
love falt provifions, and the reafon probably is, upon account
of the fcarcity of falt, and their not being ufed to it. The en-
trails made ufe of, they wafh very clean, in the fame man-
ner as people of other nations. When they lay in their winter
provifion, inftead of pickling, they hang it up to dry, or they
fmoak it, by which means they preferve it from putrefaction,
and have provifion all the winter round ¢. Many can well af-
ford to falt it, but do not, having no relifh for falt meat,
and they thrive and do as well with their provifion after their
manner as other countries after their own.

* Mr. Anderfon fays their butter looks green, black, and of all colours.

+ The fame Author fays, that the Icelanders do not knock their cattle down when
they are about killing them, prefuming that the blood flagnates or penetrates into the _
fiefh, and prevents its keeping. ‘Their manner of flaughtering, according to him, is
to thruft a thin penknife into their necks, and when the creature falls, to tie its legs
with ropes, and afterwards to cut its throat, that all the blood may run out.

t He alfo fays, that thofe that can afford it, and have a mind to live better than
their neighbours, buy falt, and before the carcafs is quartered, make three or four

' deep gathes in different parts, into which they put falt, thinking that it will per-

vade the whole as much as is neceffary to preferve it, during the drying or fmoak-
ing. The poorer fort foak it two or three times in fea-water, then hang it in the air,
and afterwards in the chimney to be fmoaked.,

CH AP

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.

ART ATP RKXY.

. Concerning their hogs.

OT many hogs are now feen in this ifland, though there
N is great reafon to believe, that in former days there have
been many. In the northern diftrid a few are kept, which
thrive very well. The old annals of the country prove, that
the country was formerly ftocked with a confiderable number.
I found an account in them of two hogs, a boar, and a fow,
being brought over, when this ifland firft began to be peopled.
By fome accident they were loft, and three years after, found in
a valley up the mountains, where they encreafed to upwards of
roo. The place to this day is called fwine-dale. ‘This is a
plain proof, that they will thrive and multiply here. Many
places in the ifland ftill retaining the name of fwine, there is no
room to doubt, but that they formerly were in great plenty.
There is Swine-næs, Swine-vatne,. and a church near it, called
Swine-vatne church, Swine-fkarde, Swine-hage, and Swine-
vollum. By a piece of ground at Akrekor, near Beflefted, it is
very obvious, that the fame was formerly hedged in, and that a
hutt ftood therein for the fwineherd, which fpot to this day is
called Swine-akre. Hence it is evident, that hogs were former-
ly bred here, and that they can find food enough, and will
thrive; but the chief reafon why the inhabitants do not ftill
keep them, is becaufe they fpoil thofe grounds near their farms,
which they call tuner; befides, they cannot afford to keep people
on purpofe to watch them. They may alfo well difpenfe with
them, having a fuperfluity of other animals neceflary for their
fubfiftance *. Dogs and cats are in plenty ; efpecially the for-
mer, which the fhepherds, and thofe that look after the cattle,
break and ufe for this purpofe. The people here are never feen
without a dog, and every farm has a large houfe dog or two.
Cats are not quite fo plenty, though very ufeful among them
to deftroy the abundance of mice. |

* Mr. Anderfon fays, they cannot keep hogs for want of food for them, of which
a fufficiency can neither be found in the fields nor houfes.

CF Age.

55

56

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.

Cl ACP ACEXXMVI,

Concerning tame fowl.

ERE are common fowls, fuch as cocks, hens, chickens,

ducks, pigeons, &c. the fame as in other countries.
Eaftward, and where the wild corn grows, which is very good
food for them, they are chiefly kept, as alfo by thofe whofe cir-
cumftances enable them to lay in corn and peas. They endure
very well the weather, efpecially in the fouth parts, where the
winters can neither be called fevere, nor of a very long continu-
ance *, In the northern diftri€@, which is the coldeft in the
ifland, I have met with pigeons and fowls, and I hardly ever
heard of any perifhing of cold. Sometimes a hawk or falcon
will fnap up a hen or chicken, but this I believe, happens oftner
in Denmark or Norway; becaufe having a much greater plenty
of both wild and tame fowl. ‘The reafon why tame fowl are
not kept fo much here as in Denmark, is chiefly owing to the
expence of corn, peas, &c. which muft be from thence im-
ported +. Here is plenty-of wild ducks, and at certain feafons.
of the year, eggs of wild fowl in greater quantities than the in-
habitants can confume. It would therefore be a folly to keep
tame fowl at a great expence, when fuch plenty of wild fowl
may be had without any expence at all.

CHAP. XXXVI.
Concerning wild land-fowl.

ERE are all forts of f{nipes, ouzels, and beccafines in
abundance ; but quails there are none in the ifland. Par-

tridges are native as well as in Norway, and in great plenty. The
inhabitants fhoot them, and can always procure a fufficiency of
them for fale. They are never catched alive, but by the people

* Mr. Anderfon fays, that there is no fuch thing as keeping pigeons, or other
tame fowl here, on account of the long and fevere cold, want of nourifhment, and
the many various birds of prey.

+ The fame Author fays, a few of the richeft inhabitants that love a nice bit, keep
a couple of fowls, which they make fhift to feed with chopt hay, and a little rye meal
mix’d with water,

2 that

NATURAL HISTORY lof ICELAND:

" thåt catch the falcons, who ufe them for a lure, and they tod
meet with difficulties in catching them alive, becaufe thefe birds
finding food almoft every where, are not therefore eafily decoyed
into a fnare*. As the -falcon-eatchers cannot depend upon get-
ting thefe birds, they always keep pigeons.and chickens for the
purpofe, which they would have no occafion to dg; if thefe birds
ici caught. 1 Fyre to estos: sho Bilder 3 rrr
= å ; t

ie te "FT A Pp XXXVIII,
ae oa pan Concerning birdsof prey.

re) great variety a bite did cf prey is “obferved heté: There

) are eagles, falcons, fome {mall hawks, and ravens, of
which laft are great numbers +. It were to be wifhed, that-fal+
cons were more plenty. Owls and kites there are none. But as
each of thefe birds requires a {eparate article, I fhall therein treat
7 them more bol athe

CHAP. eae

“Concerning the eagle.

HE inhabitants are not acquainted en more than one,

fpecies of eagle, which by what I have feen, feems to me
to be a large fort. Idid not hear that they do much mifchief,
by deftroying any of their animals; if they do, it muft ‘chiefly
be the young and tender lambs i... But as. the people very care-
fully watch their fheep and lambs, there is not. much for them
in this refpect. I have often feen the eagle hovering over the
fea-fide, where there is a little inlet or creek, and there catch
the fith that come into fhallow water. They alfo have a way
of frightening the hawk and falcon from the prey they have

made, and taking it from them; for as the eagle cannot with

* Mr. Anderfon fays, that their fineft wild fowl are fnipes, quails, and partridges,
called ryper, and that they run more than they fly, and are therefore eafily catched.

+ The fame Author fays, that birds of prey are herein fuch variety and abundance,
as hardly can be defcribed; viz. large eagles, kites, hawks, falcons, owls, ravens,
and many more that have names, and many without.

t He alfo afferts, that here are various {pecies of eagles, which do the inhabitants a
deal of mifchief, by deftroying all the young animals “they can lay hold of,

GQ fuch

5?
»
”

58

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.

fuch agility dart upon a partridge, or other wild fowl, they make
no fcruple of robbing the hawk or falcon, who catch them very
eafily *.

uke disA Pe XB.

Concerning the hawk.

HERE is but one fpecies of hawk known here. Thofe

I have feen, are very fmall, and. cannot be reckoned
among the terrible birds of prey. “They are alfo few in number,
and feldom purfue any thing but {mall birds, fuch as fparrows,
except now and then a young chicken happens to fall in their
way. They are moftly catched on the mafts of fhips out at fea,
where they ftraggle fome times a vaft way, and too far to get

back.
Cir Be JA Pr lv KEK

Concerning the falcon.

ERE likewife is but one {pecies, of the falcon. The cocks

are in general remarkably fmaller than the hens, which.
makes them appear to thofe that do not know the difference like
different fpecies. Some are white, fome half white and half
grey, but they are all of the fame kind, and fometimes in one
and the fame neft, a young one of each colour has been hatched.
This the inhabitants have declared to me, and I dare fay, there
is hardly a falcon-neft in the ifland without being known ; for
every falcon-catcher in his diftriét takes care to watch them clofe,
and to place his nets pretty near the place where they build.
In winter fometimes whole flights of falcons come over from
Greenland, and are chiefly white. The Iceland falcons are emi-
nently the beft of any for fport. A Norwegian falcon, or one
of any other country, cannot be ufed above two or three years,
but thofe of this ifland will laft ten or twelve years and upwards.
They are fuperior in fize to any, and are endowed with many
extraordinary qualities. The king of Denmark fends every year
a falconer, with a couple of attendants to Iceland, to buy up the
2 Mr. Anderfon relates, that eagles have carried off children four or five years
old to their nefts ; but our author affures us, that this is mere romance, no fuch thing

having ever been heard of in the country,
falcons.

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.

falcons. They go to Beflefted, where the king’s falcon-houfe is,
but it is not their bufinefs to catch them; for in every diftri@
there is a certain number of people licenfed for this purpofe.

They are all native Icelanders, and get by it a pretty deal of .

money when they are fuccefsful*. It is about Midfummer that
the falcon-catchers bring what they have caught to Beffefted.
They come on horfeback, holding a pole with another fixed a-
crofs, on which ten or twelve, falcons will fit all capped: the
pole they hold in their hand, and reft it on the ftirrup. The
falconer’s bufinefs is to examine them, to return thofe that are
not good, and fend the reft on board the fhip, to take back with
him to Copenhagen. To the perfons that bring them for fale,
a written teftimony of their refpective qualities is given, by vir-
tue of which, they receive of the king’s receiver-general, fifteen

rixdollars for a white falcon, ten rixdollars for one half white,
and a gratuity from two to four rixdollars to encourage them for
their pains in this bufinefs+. For a grey falcon they had for-
merly five rixdollars, but for feveral years paft, they have had
feven rixdollars for every one of this kind.

An account of the manner the Icelanders catch falcons.

They ftrike two pofts into the ground, a little diftance from
each other; to the one they tie a partridge or pigeon, (or for
want of either, a cock or a hen) by a {mall line two or three
yards long, that they may flutter about a little, and that the
falcon may the fooner obferve them ; to the leg of the partridge
or pigeon they tie another ftring, 100 yards long or more, which
goes through a hole in the other poft, in order to draw the bait
to that poft, where a net is fixed, like a fifhing net, with a hoop
in a femi-circle of fix foot diameter. This being pulled down,
it goes over and covers the poft, for which purpofe, there is ano-
ther ftring faftened to the upper part of the hoop, which goes
through the firft poft to which the bait is tied. Thefe two
{trings the falcon-catcher has hold of, that he may pull the bait

* Mr. Anderfon fays, the king of Denmark fends every year a falconer and two
fervants to Iceland to catch falcons, and to bring thofe that are good to Copenhagen.

t A rixdollar is about 3s, 6d. fterling.

where

59

60

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.
where he pleafes, as alfo the net over his prey. Thefe nets they
fix near a neft, or where they fee a flight of falcons approach.
As foon as the falcon fees the bait fluttering on the ground, he
takes a few {weeps about in the air juft over the place, and looks
about to fee if there be any danger; then he ftrikes with fuch
violence, that he takes the bait’s head off as clean as if
cut off with a knife. The» moment he has ftruck the bait, he
generally flies up again, unlefs very hungry, to look about if any
danger’ be at hand, or any thing to interrupt him in the enjoy-
ment of his prey. In the mean time of his flying up, the fal-
con-catcher pulls the ftring and dead bait to the other poft clofe
under the net, which the falcon not obferving, prefently darts to
devour his prey, but the other ftring being pulled, he is catched
in the net”, He is taken out with the greateft caution, for fear
of breaking any of his feathets in the wing or tail, and has a
cap clapped over his eyes. The falcon-catcher is generally hid
behind fome ftones or bufhes, or elfe lies flat on the ground,
100 yards or more off, where even if the falcon fees him, he has
no miftruft, being at fuch a diftance. When the falconers return to
Denmark with their complement, they lay in as much. frefh
meat as they think they fhall have occafion for to feed them,
and befides take fome live cattle and fheep with them to kill by
the way. They generally lay in ftore for feven weeks, for fear
the voyage fhould prove fo long ; for they do not choofe to put
in any where by the way, not even in Norway, except they are
under a.neceflity +. They moiften the meat with a little milk
for them, but if fick, they mix oil and eggs with it, which
prefently relieves them. They keep always the caps on,
both aboard and on fhore. During the voyage, the falcons are
kept between the decks, tied to poles, two rows of a fide, and
thefe poles are covered with coarfe cloth, and ftuffed with ftraw,
and lines are flung from one fide to the other pretty clofe, that

*Mr. Anderfon fays, the falcon is catched by a bird (taught on purpofe) in a cage,
put near the place where the net is fixed, which bird can fee the falcon at an incredible ~
diftance, and by a certain noife gives notice, whereupon the falcon-catcher, who con-
ceals himfelf in a bufh, throws out a pigeon to flutter about, which as foon as the
falcon efpies, he ftrikes down upon, and immediately the net is pulled over him.

+ The fame Author fays, that in their paffage they put in wherever they can for
frefh provifion.

they

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.

they may have fomething to catch hold of, if the fhip fhould
be toffed about, or if any of them fhould overfet, that they
might fall foft, and not too low. to receive damage. By this
account it is plain, that the falcon is no terrible bird of prey, and
that one need not pity the Icelanders, when they acquire for
them fome money, and only rob them of a few partridges, of
which they have more than they know what to do with.

Goel ote. aah
Concerning owls.
8 Haier a are no owls of any kind in‘ the whole ifland *,

CH AP. XLII.

Concerning ravens.

HE ravens here are black, and have nothing peculiar to
diftinguifh..them from thofe of other countries. They

Keep about the houfes and farms, and fteal what they can. Some-
times they kill a young and tender lamb}. No crows, mag~
pies, or any of the kind-are feen here; but there are four or fix
forts of {mall birds, which I believe they have not in Denmark,
and which, as they have nothing particular to characterize them,

I fhall omit {peaking of.

al ores © ee Shy
Concerning the fhore, or coaft-birds.

| Otwithftanding the vaft quantity of birds about the fhore,
moft people that live along the coaft know them all, and
have a name for every one: but in a general defcription of a

. " Mr. Anderfon fays there are various fpecies of owls in Iceland, as the cat-owl,
the hørn-owl, and the ‘ftone-ow!. He likewife publifhed a print of one catched in
the farther part of Iccland, on a fhip homeward bound from Greenland.

f The fame Author fays, it has been obferved, that in fome of the {mall iflands,
efpecially the uninhabited about the coaft, a couple of old ravens will fettle, and not
fuffering any other to come near them, will fight and drive all away that offer to
come. Our author fays, he could not be informed of any fuch thing, though he took
much pains to come at the truth of it.

R country,

GE

62

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.

country, it cannot be expected that a full account can be given
of every particular; much lefs when the ornitography alone of
Iceland could furnifh out matter for a large volume. The few
cliffs and {mall iflands about the coaft, abound with all forts of
fea-birds, and look quite white, by being covered with their
dung. Thefe birds in large flights will ftray out at fea 30 or
40 leagues; but I cannot fay that I have ever feen fuch vaft
flocks fo as to darken the fun *. Along the coaft, where there are
high and fteep mountains for them to build in, the fhore is
covered with them; but it is not fo round the ifland: for moft
places being low and flat towards the fea, but few harbour in
them, except when the fhoals of herrings come in. At that
time the birds follow to catch them, which gives the fifhing
people timely notice, and is an agreeable warning to them. At
the fame time alfo, great numbers of cod and other fifh perfe-
fecute the herrings underneath, as the birds do from above.
Some of thefe fea-birds are here during a ftated time, others
wander up and down, fuch as the oufel, the wild-goofe, &c. and
others live perpetually in the high rocks and cliffs towards the fea, -
and the fmall adjacent iflands and rocks, where they lay their
eggs, and hatch their young +. It is the large quantity of fifth
thefe feas are ftocked with, that makes fuch flocks of birds to
harbour here, add to which, their fecurity in the high rocks for
their nefts, though they are not fo fecure, but people can get at
them, and take away their eggs, which fhall be related in its
proper place, to fhew that the people are more cunning than the
fox, for they can get where he cannot. There is a fifh called
rodmave, which delights to be near the fhore in fhallow water.
The fea birds catch many of them, among others the fea-gull,
who eats only the entrails¢. The blackbird (as they call it in

* Mr. Anderfon fays, there are fuch vaft flights of fea birds, that they darken the
fun 30 or 40 leagues out at fea, and that their number and variety is fo great, that
none of the inhabitants know them, much lefs have aname for them.

+ The fame Author fays, the feweft part of thefe birds ftay there the winter, to-
wards which feafon they generally go away, probably to fome warmer climate, and
return in the fpring. He adds, that this ifland is very convenient for them, by
reafon of the high rocks and mountains, where they fecurely make their nefts and
hatch their young, undifturbed either by man or fox.

+ He alfo fays, that the fea-gull catches a certain well tafted fifh called ranmave,
a good deal ae a karuffe, and brings it afhore, and only eats the liver, To this he

adds, that the farmers teach their children to fcare away the gull from his prey as
foon as he has brought it afhore, which they take up and bring home.
Iceland)

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.

Iceland) takes a great many, and only eats the liver ; but fome-
times he is catched, or hunted from his prey, and if they find
it frefh, will take it away. The young children catch this fith
in the fhallow water among the ftones, they alfo catch feveral in
nets, and with rods: for when they throw out their line for a
cod, they frequently get only a rodmave. Jn moft parts they
take them with a fpear, like an eel-{pear; for they are chiefly
clofe to the ground in very fhallow water, and in calm weather
vaft quantities of them may be feen, the variety of red colours
which they have, diftinguifhing them from other fifth. This
fifh has a large head, and feveral thick fcales like lumps upon
it: the belly is quite red, from whence the Icelander calls it
todmave or red-belly.

Chet AB XEV,
Concerning the fhore-birds that are fit to eat.

W ANS and wild-ducks, as fome imagine, do not leave this
ifland in the winter ", During the fummer, they refort

the frefh water rivers, and in winter, when the frefh waters are
frozen up, they come down to the fea and open waters, where
continually great flocks of both forts are feen, not by fcores, but
by feveral hundreds together. In the fpring they return to the
frefh waters, and there hatch their young. I never any where
met with more fwans and wild-ducks than in Iceland. The
{wan being the largeft and moft excellent bird, deferves to be en-
Jarged upon fomewhat more than the reft, to fhew the advan-
tages the Icelanders reap from it. The fwan is a conftant inha-
bitant of Iceland, and vaft numbers of them keep in the frefh
rivers up the country, where they lay their eggs, and hatch their
young. The eggs are large and very good eating. The feafon
approaching when they caft their feathers, and cannot very well fly,
the people go to the frefh rivers, and hunt and kill them. The
breaft of a young fwan, when well drefled is exceeding nice; but
the excellent down and feathers they get by them, fetch a deal
of money. At all other times of the year, they fhoot them, and

+ Mr. Anderfon fays, that among the eatable and well tafted fhore-birds, the fwans,
geefe, and ducks are the firft in rank, and never fail to appear in the {pring.

frequently

63

64

o

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.

frequently kill feveral at a fhot, by reafon of the large flocks they
affemble in.

CHAP. XLVI.

Concerning the wild geefe.

HE wild geefe are not conftantly here, but come in the
{pring, and go away at the latter end of autumn. Here

are five different fpecies of geefe, divided into the mar-goofe, the
helfinger, and the grey-goofe. The mar-goofe is but a little
bigger than a duck ; the helfinger is the largeft of all, and has
the whiteft feathers. As for the grey-geefe, the Icelanders have a
particular name for each, and the fole difference between them,
confifts in that the bill and legs in the one are red; in the other,
yellow ; and in the third, black. In other refpects they are all
grey, and very good eating. It is not certain, that all thofe that
come in the fpring, ftay here and breed; becaufe in the nor-
thern parts of the ifland, they have been feen to fet cf again in
great flocks farther north; fo that it is prefumed, they fome~
times only {top here to reft. However, they pay for ftopping ; for
the country people fhoot as many of them as they can, though
their exceffive fhynefs makes them not very eafy to be fhot at:
for while fome of them are at reft, others are watching, and up-
on the leaft alarm, all fly away. 'Thofe that ftay grow tamer,
and eafier to be fhot; but in general they are difficult to be got
at. When they come, feveral hundreds of them appear in one

flock *,

CHAP. XLVII.
Concerning wild ducks, and down-birds.

N Iceland there are upwards of 10 different fpecies of wild-
Å ducks, which the natives have names for. Six forts of them
are fit to eat, and are well flavoured. All the different kinds in

* Mr. Anderfon relates, that when the wild geefe come, they reft in the eaftward
part of the ifland, and are on their firft arrival fo fatigued, that at that time they
may be knocked down by thoufands.

Denmark,

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.

Denmark, are alfo here. The beft tafted are very fmall, their
body being not bigger than a pigeon *. The Icelanders call them
ortezender, or trout ducks ; becaufe they generally harbour where
trout are ; but of this fort there are not fo many as of the others.
All the ducks in general are fit for eating, thofe only excepted that
have a fifhy tafte. They are of three forts, and may be eaten, their
tafte, as fome have imagined, being neither rank nor ftrong +.
The natives call them langviget, lunder and alker. Among the
various f{pecies of ducks, the down-bird may juftly have the prefe-
rence. This bird is much efteemed for its fine foft downy fea-
thers, which the inhabitants turn to great account. Their eggs
are alfo very fine. The drake is as large as a goofe, and has a great
many white feathers, but the duck not much bigger than that of
the common fize, is of a dark brown, yet fomewhat lighter on the
breaft. Numbers of them are met with all over the ifland,
though the greater part abide to the weft, upon account of the
feveral iflands they feem to delight in. The inhabitants make
little iflands on purpofe to invite them, and by thus confulting
their convenience, get a great many more to come and fettle,
being very fenfible of the advantage they bring. They like beft
to build in defolate and lonely iflands, and if well treated, will
build among people, and even clofe to houfes; but in this cafe,
if the people choofe to make them continue in this abode, they
muft fend all their cattle and dogs at fome diftance up the coun-
try, and if they live on a little ifland, they muft fend all their
cattle away to the main land. It is very rare, though I have feen
it, that this bird builds on the main land; but the people have
enticed them to it by tender ufage, and by keeping them from
being difturbed. If they do not difturb them, they may go
about among them, even while they fit upon their eggs, and
they will not ftir. They will alfo bear to have the eggs taken
away from them, perhaps once or twice, yet ftill will lay others,
and hatch their young, and the next year come to the fame

* Mr. Anderfon fays, all their ducks have fuch a fifhy tafte, that none are fit for
eating.

+ He alfo fays, that the Icelanders are quite regardlefs of the tafte of birds; for
whether taken in the rocks where they climb to catch them, or onthe fands, all are
thrown into the pot and dreffed, according to their fafhion, and fo eaten, their fto-
machs being fo good as not eafily to be turned,

place,

65

66

NATURAL HISTORY of ICEL AN D.

place, and continue multiplying as long as they are well ufed.
The advantage received from them, is in the down and eggs.
When thefe birds build their neft, they pluck the down from
their breaft for the eggs to lie on, and to keep them warm. They
lay four eggs, as big as goofe eggs, and green; and when they
have done laying this number, the people perhaps finding them,
take them away, as alfo the down, and fo fpoil the neft. Not-
withftanding, the ducks going to work again, pluck more down -
from their breaft, and lay other eggs: the people then come and
take the down and eggs away a fecond time. Still patiently they
go to work a third time, but the ducks having plucked them-
felves bare before, the drakes now fupply the neft with down.
The laft is therefore beft and whiteft, (for the drake is white, the
duck brown on the breaft), She then lays her number of eggs
over again ; but if taken away, lays no more, nor ever
builds a neft there, but looks out for another place the next
year. For which reafon, a good oeconomift will take care and
watch, that the third lay of eggs is not taken from them, and
that they are fuffered to lic peaceably, and to hatch them. Then
they may be certain, that the next feafon, fhe and her young
will come there again, and inftead of one neft, will make two
or three. When the young ones leave the neft with the old, the
people gather the down a third time from the neft, and in this
manner get two fets of eggs, and three parcels of down from
each neft. Hence it may be judged, what vaft advantage they
have by them, confidering how many thoufands build among
them. ‘Their eggs are as good as any hens eggs. The down
they pluck off themfelves is much the fineft, though all the reft
ef their feathers are very good and ufeful*. The good oeco-
nomift will not fuffer any of thefe birds to be fhot, or a gun to
be fired near them, efpecially while they are building, for fear
of frightening them away. In this manner they get great quan-

* Mr. Anderfon fays, the feathers that are pulled off when they are dead are of no
ufe; becaufe they are fat, and putrify very foon,. He adds, that when the young
ones fly out of the neft, the people who are upon the watch, go and take the down
away. Bithop Pontoppidan obferves the fame in his natural hiltory of Norway,
where he fays they Jay many eggs which are long, and ofa dark green colour; andif a
ftick a foot long is ftuck in the middle of the neft, they will continue laying till itis
covered, that they may lie convenient, but this weakens the birds to fuch a degree,
that they fometimes die.

tities

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.

tities of down and eggs, without deftroying or hurting the birds.
The down they export, and rather make a pecuniary advantage
of, than ufe it to gratify their own eafe.

C HAP. XLVIIL

Concerning the diver or the plungeon.

E have but one fort of thefe ducks called divers or plun-

geons. They are well tafted and fit to eat", They
are not very fifhy; for the Icelanders not liking any fowl that
has a trainy or fifhy tafte, are under no neceflity of ufing that
which is not good, amidft fuch plenty and variety.

; | CHAP, XLIX.

Concerning the lomen, or northern diver +.

HE lomen or northern divers, much about the bignefs of
a goofe, have a narrow bill and {mall wings, and grow
very fat and heavy. ‘Their legs ftanding very much behind,
they walk with as much difficulty as they fly, on account of their
{mall wings and heavy body. They make a frightful noife, and
are far from a pleafing bird to look at; at leaft I could fee no
beauty in them. Neither their flefh nor eggs are fit to eat. This
bird is unmolefted ; for the people give themfelves no trouble to
look after its neft or brood. ‘They build in remote places near
frefh water, that they may reach to drink without moving from
their eggs, or if they fhould want to move, that they might do
it the more conveniently, by reafon of their being fuch bad
walkers and fliers. As this bird alfo does not build about the
fea-fhore, it is improperly called a fhore-bird.

* Mr. Anderfon fays, fome of the divers or plungeons>are fit to eat, but many
not.

+ In the Orkneys they call this bird embergoofe.

Ft Mr. Anderfon relates, that the Icelanders having never been able to difcover
where the northern divers build, pretend that they hatch their young under their
wings.

CHAP.

6:

/

68

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.

GR AS Mi eRe ty:

Concerning the geir or vulture.

HE vulture-rocks, called alfo bird-rocks, lie beyond Rei-

kenes, in the fouth diftri@, about fix or eight leagues
weft of this place. On thefe cliffs and rocks are a great many
vultures, which befides harbour in other parts of the iflandy
The inhabitants at a certain feafon go to thefe iflands, though.
the expedition is very dangerous, to feek after. the eggs of this.
bird, of which, they bring home a cargo in a boat big enough)
for eight men to row. The danger and difficulty confifts in get-;
ting afhore near thefe cliffs which lie fix or eight leagues out at
fea, where the water generally runs fo high, that if the boat be
not very carefully managed, it runs the rifque of being dafhed to
pieces againft the rocks by the violence of the waves*. Though
there are not fo many of thefe birds as of other fea-birds, yet they
are not fcarce. They are frequently feen, and thofe that go to take
their eggs from them fee enough of them. The eggs are very .
large, and almoft as big as oftriches eggs.

CHAP. LI.

Concerning the Jhore-birds nefts.

N the high and perpendicular cliffs near the fea fide, and in»

the cracks and holes, and where the rocks hang over the
water, the fea and fhore birds build in incredible numbers. -'The
inhabitants get at thefe places, notwithftanding all the caution
the birds take to hide their eggs, or to build in almoft inaccefli-
ble places, and they plunder the nefts of their eggs and feathers.
It being impoffible for them to climb the rocks, by reafon of
many hanging confiderably over the water, they therefore, in
order to get at the birds and their nefts, thruft out a long beam

* Mr. Anderfon fays, that the geir or vulture is not often feen here, except on a_
few cliffs to the weft, and that the Icelanders, naturally fuperftitious, have a notion
that when this bird appears, it portends fome extraordinary event. Of this he affures
us his being told, that the year before the late king Frederic IV. died, there appeared
feveral, and that none had been feen before for many years.

2 towards

NATURAL HISTORY of FCELAND.

towards the top of the rock, which they faften at one end to
the ground, and at the other with a long rope that flides through
a hole made in the beam. By this machine, they raife up, or
let down the man that is to take the eggs, who, when he has
got as many as he can carry away with him, gives a fignal for
retiring *. In this manner they go on as long as eggs are to be
found, or as long as they are able to hold out. The man that
is let down has a pole with him, by which he pufhes himfelf
out, or draws himfelf farther in, juft as he fees occafion. When
the birds are attacked by thefe people, they fly away by thou-
fands, making a terrible noifé and fhrieking. In the parts where
thefe high cliffs are, the inhabitants have vaft benefit and advan-
tage by the birds. Befides the egos they take, they catch vaft
numbers of the birds, many of which, as I before obferved, are
very fine eating, and of the feathers they make a very good
trade, exclufive of what they keep in the ifland for their own
ufe. YFhave feen the people catching the birds in this manner,
and muft confefs, that it is very dangerous work. Sometimes
accidents happen through carelefsnefs, by the beams giving way,
or by ufing a rope that is not ftrong enough. Thefe birds,
though they build fo thick and clofe together in the rocks, and
are fome thoufands in number, yet all find the fpot at once
where they have built, never miftaking their neft, though fo like
each other, as not in any refpec to be diftinguifhed.

CHA P. -LIE.
Concerning the fhore-birds eggs.

HE eggs of the fea and fhore-birds are of a greenifh co-

lour with black or brown fpots. They have a thicker
fhell than land birds, fo ordered, I fuppofe, by Providence : for
as thefe birds are obliged to feek nourifhment at a very great di-
ftance from the place where they build, and lay their eggs, and
confequently are fometimes a Jong while abfent from their roof,
the thicknefs of the fhell muft preferve fo much longer the in-

* Mr. Anderfon fays, it is with the greateft danger of their lives that they climb the
fteep and rugged rocks to get at thefe birds nefts,

EF ternal

69

7°

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.

ternal heat, and prevent the external cold from penetrating to
deftroy the tender life within. Thefe eggs are for the better part
well tafted. There is alfo a {mall bird here which the Icelanders
call kreye, whofe eggs are extremely nice,

CHA P.. LIL |
Concerning the vaft quantity of fhore-fifh.

OO much cannot be faid of the great blefling which
God has beftowed on this ifland, by the vaft quantities of
fifh the fhores abound with all round the ifland, and the’ vaft
variety, both large and fmall, for nourifhment and ufe. It is fup-
pofed thefe immenfe multitudes of fifh come from more northern
parts to Iceland in their peregrination to the fouthern, though
many proceed no farther, which is very reafonable to think ; be-
caufe in fome parts of this ifland there is.good fifhing all the year
round, chiefly of fine {mall cod, which very probably are only
the young of the larger fort, being in every refped like them.
The inhabitants relate by the obfervations they have made, that
the codling goes three times round. the whole ifland with the
wind, and when gone the third time, are:grown:to a full fize,
and become what is properly. called the large cod,- The cod that
come in fhoals towards the fpring of the year, being much fat-
ter and finer than thofe fifhed for at other times, there will be
no improbability in fuppofing, that they have lain under the land
all the winter. The people in‘particular remark the courfe the
filh take; they appear firft eaftward of the ifland, then fouth-
ward, and afterwards about the great creek or bay between
Reikenefs and Wefter Jokel. This creek is twenty or twenty-
four leagues broad, and runs fixteen or twenty leagues up into the
country. Here are their greateft fifheries, and from hence moft
of the harbours to the fouth are fupplied, except the harbour of
Grindevig. To this place alfo they come from all parts round
to fifh, even from the northward in the fifhing feafon, which
they call vertiden, and fometimes ftay the whole fummer and
autumn a fifhing. More fhall be- faid with regard to this place,
in the chapter concerning the fifhing feafons,

CHAP.

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.

Cie. A: Pye. ELV.

Concerning the fhore-fifh, or fuch as in. general keep along the
coaft.

| S in a general defcription of a country, a complete ich-

thyology, or particular defcription of all the fifth through-
out the country cannot be expected; it is not my intention to
make a voluminous work, which I know myfelf not qualified
for, not having furnifhed myfelf with fufficient materials for fuch
an undertaking, though I lived upwards of two years in the
ifland. I fhall therefore purfue what I chiefly intended, which
is to give a brief account of the ifland, and to range every thing
in proper order, to make every article intelligible, and convey a
true idea of the place to my readers, I prefume to fay, that I
know much more of the place than many, who have publifhed
their accounts of this ifland, according to very imperfect and
falfe ideas, and confequently their publications, muft have propa-
gated the fame, which I am very defirous to remove, hoping
that this fhort treatife will have that effe&, at leaft on thofe, who
have not received too ftrong a prejudice from thofe falfe and er-
roneous accounts that have before been publifhed.

CS), Ble: Ab iP sit SRV.

Concerning herrings.

ERRINGS come from the moft northern parts, where

they breed, and fend forth vaft colonies to all Europe at
certain feafons. They return again to the north, and in that man-
ner annually make their progreffions. In paffing by Iceland, they
are ufually driven by the whales and other large fifh, as chaff
before the wind, and fometimes they are chafed into the bays
and creeks of this ifland in fuch numbers, that a boat can hard-
ly be rowed through them, and they well might be taken up by
pails full ; though this happens but feldom. The Icelanders do not
apply themfelves to herring fifhing, having neither materials for
it, nor knowledge how to cure the fifh; add to which, their
great {carcity of falt. It is therefore for thefe reafons that they
4 do

71

72

NATURAL HISTORY of ICE LAND.

do not trouble themfelves about taking more than they can make
ufe of frefh. Very likely if they had falt fufficient, and under-
ftood how to cure them, the merchants would not take them off
their hands, becaufe they are not taxed; from whence one may
conclude, that Iceland is not a proper place for herring-fifhing,
except when the above-mentioned extraordinary accident of their
being driven into the creeks and bays in fuch exceilive quanti-
ties happens *. Otherwife the Icelanders would no doubt have
laid themfelves out for herring-fifhing, and their price would
have been taxed as other fifh are: for they are very fufficient for _
the undertaking, in refpeé to the number of hands that fhould
be employed ; neither are they fo indigent in circumftances, ag
not to be. able to manage a very confiderable fifhery, efpecially fince
the king has generoufly fupplied them with a confiderable quan-
tity of neceflary implements, which may put this and other
fitheries upon a very good footing. What I mean by herrings,
that do not appear in the creeks and harbours of this ifland in
great fhoals, unlefs by accident, are the fine large fat herrings
fit for pickling +. At all other times a vaft plenty of {mall
young herrings like pilchards or fprats, arrive with the cod,
which this filh feeds very agreeably on, as do alfo from above
the birds, by whom they are fnapt up. Together with thefe
perfecutors, the whale {wallows them up in heaps, which has been
often feen here; and once in particular, a whale purfuing his
prey too greedily, run aground, and the tide fetting out, left him
helplefs on the fhore. The inhabitants foon gave him his quie-
tus, and found in his belly upwards of 600 fine live cod, to-
gether with a great quantity of herrings, and fome birds. Thefe
fmall herrings are of two forts; the one is called by the inhabi-
tants fand-herrings, becaufe they lie upon the fand banks in
the fea about the coaft, almoft all the year round ; they are of
ten alfo found in the bellies of large fifh when any are

* Mr. Anderfon fays, he knows very well, that all the creeks and harbours in Ice-
land abound with the fineft and fatteft herrings, and that if it was not for the fcar-
city of people, and their indigent circumftances, they would be able to carry on the
greateft and moft advantageous trade imaginable in this very one refpect. |

+ He alfo fays, there are many different fpecies of herrings, but he never met with
any who had been curious enough to make proper obfervations or remarks, He fpeaks

of one fort eighteen inches long, and three or four inches broad, but our Author fayg
he never heard of any fuch.

caught.

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.

. caught. The other are called the hairy: herrings, becaufe they
have a ftripe all along the back like hair, and »whenfeen or
found in the bellies of any fifh, the people are fure the cod is

not far off, becaufe this fifh is only periodically about the ifland. -

Herrings, efpecially the large ones, are the beft bait to catch cod
with, though not ufed by the Icelanders, becaufe they cannot
always get them *. It is remarkable, that the cod and large
herrings do not always come together, if they did, the people
would fuffer greatly in their cod-fifhing. The large herrings re-
‘fort not to this coaft every year, but the fmall {prat kind always
attend the cod, and are their common food. The Icelanders
catch none of thefe fmall herrings, being unprovided with. nets
for this purpofe, and depending principally on their cod-fithery. It
is a diverting fight to fee, when thefe {mall herrings come in fuch
glutts on the coaft, how the birds by thoufands hover above, and
like a dart ftrike down upon and catch them... This continually
happens, whilft the fifh are making all the way. they can to the
coaft to get into the creeks and bays, though even there they be-
come an eafier prey to the birds. .

C.F AP... BV...
Concerning the cod.

HIS faith, called by ‘the Icelanders torfk or kabbelau,
which names are fynonimous, is caught moftly about

the fouth and weft parts of the ifland +. Northward and

eaftward, they hardly catch enough for their own confumption, .

and are often obliged to have them from the fouth and weft
quarters, where they buy them up dried, or fend their people
there to fifh and cure them for their ufe. But the great
quantities of flefh, train of whales, feals and cods, the
down and feathers of the birds, and the wrought and unwrought
wool of the fheep, afford fubfiftence to as many of the in-
habitants as the fifhery does. In the right fifhing places,

* Mr. Anderfon fays, that the Greenland traders when they intend to catch cod,
and are in want of a freth herring for a bait, make ufe of an artificial one made of
tin, which ferves as well as the natural one. Our Author fays he tried the fame ex-

periment, but it did not anfwer; for they would rather lay hold of a bit of beef.
+ Mr. Anderfon alfo fays, that cod is the chief food of the people of this ifland.

variety

73

74

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAN D.
variety of other fifh is caught befides cod, which I fhall pre-

fently make appear, and though not a merchantable com-
modity, they ftill are of great ufe for the food and fubfiftence
of the inhabitants. In certain places: up the country, are frefh
rivers and lakes, with great plenty of trout, and there the
people have‘no great occafion for the dried fea-fith ; for they dry
the frefh water fifh, and lay it up for ufe; and indeed dried
trout is very delicate eating. They catch all their fifh with a
hook and line of fixty fathom length, and put for a bait eight
or ten mufcles on the hook *. The mufcles here are very large
and fine, and full as large as any I ever faw in Holftein. Very
feldom they make uie of the gills of cod, rather chufing to take
a piece of another fifh. Befides mufcles, they dig at low water a
black ugly worm out of the bottom of the fea, which they ufe
for a bait; as alfo the entrails of fhore-birds, and their raw
flefh, which is reckoned 4 very good bait. All are not equally
lucky at fifhing: for when a parcel-of boats have been together
on the fand-banks a fifhing, fome of them will go away full,
whilft others have got hardly any thing, though they ufe the
fame bait.. They have plenty of wild fowl at hand, if they find
the fame a good bait.” "There is no law againft their ufing any
thing, and Iam perfuaded they ufe what bait they like beft.
When the fifth come in great fhoals, it may be perceived on the
water, as alfo when they are purfued by the whale; for then
they are in great confufion, and are fometimes feen above the
water. At that time they will not bite, and fcarce ever but
when they are quiet on the fand-banks in the fea, which the
people well know, becaufe they then bite, and are catched
apace +. They likewife will bite, even fometimes at a hook
without any bait, if tinned and bright, when they come. in
great heaps without being hunted, in or feared by the whale,

+ Mr. Anderfon fays, that they catch all,their, fifh by angling, putting a bit of a
mufcle on for a bait, or fome of the gills of the cod they have catched ; but they bite
beft at a bit of raw flefh of the birds while warm, or the Heart of a fea-gull juft
fhot. With fuch a bait one may catch twenty, while another with the bait they com-
monly ufe, will hardly catch one; but thofe artifices are forbid by the king, that one
might not have the advantage of the other.

+ The fame Author avers, that when the fhoals of fifh come, the number is fo
prodigeous, that their fins appear above the water, and that they will bite at any
thing, even at the bare hook, without any bait at all.

They

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.

They generally in this.cafe keep very deep in ‘the water. The
right fifhing feafon, which is called by the Icelanders vertiden,
begins the third of February, and lafts till the twelfth of May.
At this time multitudes of the inhabitants come from the north
and eaft, (in which parts no fifhing is carried on in that feafon)
and fome of them continue here during the whole fummer a
fifhing, before they return home to the north. Their feafon be-
gins the twelfth of May, and lafts till the harveft is in", They
cannot begin before, on account of the floating ice that comes
from Greenland ; fo that the fifhing feafons cannot be at one and
the fame time throughout the ifland, though fometimes it happens,

that after the twelfth of May, when the feafon ought to end in,

the fouth quarters, they get the moft fifh, and dry them, both
for home confumption and exportation +. Though the feafon
is over, if they have had but little fuccefs, their heart not fail-
ing them, they wait ftill longer, and are fometimes plentifully
rewarded. They always fith whilft any thing i is to be got, and
" while the weather permits. They are out often- night and day,

fometimes in the deep, fometimes in the fhallows, and never

mifs any convenient opportunity, efpecially from about the middle
of April; becaufe then the nights beginning to be very fhort,
they can remain out the whole night, and it is light enough for
them to go any where. Before that time they only fifh a days,
and are generally out two hours before the fun rifes, and return
home when it fets. But if they have not got their cargo, and
find the weather promifes fair, they ftay all night, fo that they
do not confine themfelves to any time, but make ufe of night or
day in fome places, juft as it happens. In general, the fineft
and moft delicate fifh are caught in forty, fifty, or a hundred fa-
thom deep of water ; but it cannot from hence be inferred, that
the fifh taken in the gulphs or near the fhore, are not fo fat and
fine; for when the fith firft arrive, they are as fat and fine as
any where in the deep waters. It is true, thy fall off fome time
after; but thofe far out at fea, and on the banks, keep up better

* Mr. Ånden fays, the right fifhing feafon begins the fecond of February, and
lafts till the firft of May; for then it begins to be too warm to cure and make them
fit for keeping.

+ The fame Author fays they fifh in the gulphs and deep fea by day, but near
fhore, or in cight or ten fathom water by night.

than

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND

than thofe near fhore or in. the creeks, where they probably do
not meet with fuch nourifhment. The Icelanders cure their cod
but one way,and when cured, they call it flat-fith. It is exported
to Copenhagen and Gluckftad, and is a fifh very well known, and
as well tafted as any found or cured elfewhere. Weftward they
hang them up to dry, and call them hang-fifh. They have houfes
on purpofe to dry them, which are built of lathes, pretty wide,
afunder, for the air to draw through, and a covering to Keep out
the rain. To cure them this way, they {lit open their backs,
and run a pole through them, and then hang them up to dry.
The flat-fith have their bellies flit open, and are afterwards {pread
out to dry. The hang-fith are fomething cheaper than the flat-
fifh, becaufe flat-fith is the merchantable fort, and therefore there
are a hundred flit and dried flat on the ground, to one that is
hung. When the fifhermen land with their cod, they lay them
out along the fhore, cut off their heads, flit open their bellies,
gut them, then flit them quite down, and take out the back-
bone from the head down to three joints below the navel. ‘This
the men do themfelves. The foreman of the boat divides the
filh, and every one that went has his lot”. When they have
flit them, and taken the back-bone out, they double them up.
together again, and lay them one by one, if the weather pro-
mifes fair the next day, to fpread them out to dry; but if the
weather looks otherwife, they {pread the fifh out, and lay them
one over the other, the fkin fade upwards, and: fo let them lie a
day and night; but take care not to let them lie too long fo for
fear of fpoiling. The women have nothing to do in the affair,
except fometimes, when fome of them may come to help
their wearied hufbands. When they have prepared their fifh fo
as to get it ready to lay out to dry, the next day they return
home no doubt much fatigued after their days hard labour, to
take reft and refrefhment, and have fome of their fineft fith

. drefled for themfelves and their families ; but as they always catch

other fith with the cod, they rather choofe to eat them frefh, or if

* Mr. Anderfon fays, that when the men come afhore with the fifh, the women
go down to the fea-fide and begin to work upon them, by cutting their heads off,
flitting and gutting them, &c. He calls them flit-fifh, becaufe they are flit open; but
our author calls them flat-fifh, becaufe they are fpread flat on the ground to dry.

they

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.

they boil a cod, they boil the head with it*. The heads they
cut off they dry as well as the fifh, and get a good price for
them in the country. The bones that are taken out of the fith
are ufed in fome places for firing by the poor people, where there
is a {carcity of fewel, as there generally is along the coaft. They
likewife ufe them, as has been before obferved, to feed their
cows and cattle with, by firft foftening them in boiling water.
The livers they ftow up in a veffel, and boil them all together
to make train-oil. Brandy is a fcarce commodity with them,
and but few can afford it. That which is offered to them for
fale, is feldom fit to drink after Eafter. Thus they do not much
care for that liquor; but if they could, asthe fifhing people in
moft countries, take a good dram before they go out, and have
another when they come home, it would do them no harm,
and perhaps, ina great meafure, would allay the fenfe of the
almoft incredible hardfhips they fuffer. They are fometimes
eight or ten leagues out at fea before the day breaks, and all night
long when it is light and fine weather. All this time they con-
tinue fifhing with their long lines, without any victuals, or any
refrefhment but their common drink called fyre, (which I have
already defcribed). When they have rowed themfelves back
again with their cargo, fometimes with the greateft danger of
their life, in tempeftuous weather, their next care is to get ready
their fifh for drying, which being done, they muft take a long
walk to their refpeétive habitations. After all this, it is reafon-
able to fuppofe, that they require reft and refrefhment, and a
good dram; but the laft hardly one in a hundred has. The
only thing they indulge themfelves with at fea, befide their li-
quor, is tobacco, which they make ufe of three different ways,
each according to his tafte.

I will now give a fhort and circumftantial account of their
manner of managing their flat-fifh. When they have cut the
head off, and flit open the belly, the entrails are taken out,
then the fifh is quite laid open, and the back-bone taken out,
afterwards it is doubled up, or two are put together, the flefh
part to each other. This is done when the weather is clear, and

* Mr. Anderfon fays, when they have done this work, the women carry home
the cods heads to drefs for their family; the bones they ufe for fewel, and the livers
they fave to boil oil out of; the men then go home, and indulge themfelves with

brandy according to their circumftances.
the

fa

78

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.
the air dry, that they may the next day fpread the fith out up-

on the ftones ; but when the weather is damp, or a froft hap-

‘pens, they then lay them in little heaps upon one another, with

the fkin upwards, and let them lie till the weather is fit for

. drying, at which time they fpread them out upon ftones if they

can, but where they have no ftones, along the coaft, and this
they do the day after’they arrive with them if the weather will
admit of it, for it makes the fifh much better, though they gene-
rally receive no damage by lying three or four weeks in kafe, as
they call it, which is‘in little heaps upon one another, provided
it is not very foggy or damp weather, or too hard a froft. Whilft
they lie to dry, the women go and turn them feveral times a day,
that both fides may imbibe equal portions of the fun and air.
In fine weather they will thoroughly dry in fourteen days, though
they generally take more time. When the fith is quite dry, they
are heaped up together upon the ftones, and then will receive no
damage from any kind of weather ”, Each lays his lot together,
and piles it up about as high as a man can reach; but when the
fifh are brought to market from each diftri&, they pile them then
as high as houfes, or like great ftacks of hay. They fell all
they can, without ever bringing them under roof; but what
they keep for their own confumption they lay up in their houfes.
When the merchants have got them in ftacks, and it threatens
wet weather, they cover them to keep off the rain, till they can
conveniently fhip them, which they do as foon as poflibly they
can. In fending them aboard, care is taken that they contrac.
no damp in the place they are depofited ; the reafon is, becaufe
there is a great difference between their being packed down clofe

in a fhip, and their ftanding in ftacks, where the air draws

through, and dries them immediately after they have been moi-
ftened. The hang-fith are prepared in the fame manner as the
flat-fith, faving that they are flit down the back to run the pole
through, whereon they hang to dry in houfes built for that pur-
pofe, as has been already defcribed +. They alfo are hanged

* Mr. Anderfon fays the fkin fide is always turned upwards when they dry them,
for fear the rain fhould fpoil the flefh, and if there happens to come a north wind, the
filh may be thoroughly dried in three days.

+ The fame Author fays, that for the houfes to dry fifh in, they only raife four
walls of fcraps of ftone heaped on one another, without any thing to bind them to-
gether, and make it as open as they can for the wind to draw through, covering it
with boards and turf to keep out the rain.

up

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAN D.

up the day after they come from fea. Fifth is only cured in the
weft after this manner, and not in every place, though moft
people have a houfe to dry fifh in of other forts, where they
only dry them in the air without the fun. - The fith dried along
the fhore where no ftones are found, are laid upon the hard
white fand, and not upon the bones of fifth. Dried in this
manner, the fith is whiter,’ and dries fafter than otherwife, be-
caufe the fun has more power to a¢ct.and infinuate itfelf. It alfo
will keep as long as any other, and the only accident it is liable
to, is that it becomes fandy, and may for this reafon be rejected
by the merchant *. .It is the finé dry and clear air here that
dries the fifh fo well. The days. at this feafon are longer than
in more fouthern countries, and the heat of the fun not fo piercing.

They continue to dry fith all the fummer, though in the midft
of fummer they turn not out fo well, The great heat breeds
maggots in, and fpoils them; the ftrong fmell alfo of the fith
attracts the flies, and I have a them even in April, as thick as
poffible about them, _ In the autumn the filh will dry very well,

if the weather does not turn. out. too wet+.… The Danifh mer-
chants in Iceland pickle feveral hundred cafks of cod a year,
which they export to Copenhagen, befides curing a great deal of
klip-fith, . The inhabitants do the fame with regard to the klip-
fifh, but it is generally for their own ufe, or to difpofe of at
home, becaufe they know not how to cure it well enough, to
make it anfwerable for a foreign market. At. belt, they cure
not much this way, upon account of the expence of falt, and
the fifh not fetching more than the dried, even exclufive of the
falt and cafks, it cofts much more aah le than the dried, which

* Mr. Anderfon fays, that the fh dried on ftones is much, preferable to that dried
on the fand, being firmer, whiter, and keeping longer; whereas that dried on the
fand, being laid upon the bones taken out of the fifh for want of ftones, changes co-
lour, and will not keep fo well.

+ The fame Author fays, it is very furprifing how fuch large fat fh can be cured
in the Iceland manner without falt, and piled up in the open air without corrupting;
but on the contrary, be fo found as to keep for years in different climates and parts of
the world. For this he urges as a fufficient reafon, the cold which is exceffively pierc-
ing, efpecially at the time of the year for curing the filh. Sharp drying north winds
reigning at this juncture, fetch out all the moifture, which is the internal caufe of
corruption ; befides at this time of curing no flies exift, and the few that appear
about the latter end of the feafon, are kept off by the ftrong {mell of the fifh. ‘Thus
no flies come near them to lay their eggs, confequently no magots or worms grow in
them, which is the external caufe of putrefaction, i

1S

79

80

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.

is only laid to dry, and turned now and then by the women,
and receives no damage from a little rain; whereas the klip-fith,
after lying at firft three days in pickle, muft be wafhed in fea-
water, then picked and laid out to dry, like the other fifh, and
towards the evening made up in heaps, prefled with heavy {tones,
and covered from the air. Every morning it muft be laid out
again on the ftones to dry, and if it happens to rain in the day;
it muft be immediately got under cover, becaufe the rain will
quite fpoil it.

C Hb A. Ps) EVIL

Concerning the ling.

HE ling is a fpecies of cod, but longer and narrower,
from whence it takes the name of lange or ling. ‘The
inhabitants cure it in the manner they do cod, and make klip-
fifh and flat-fith of it, as may appear from the printed tax of
prices of fifh. By law double the price is allowed for ling, and
the merchants mutt fo pay for it, which proves that it ought to be
the beft. No great quantities are catched, but of fuch as are,
they make klip-fith as well as of cod, and that in perfection ; fo
that this fifh is not peculiarly better in any other country *. This
fort of fifh, or rather the way of curing the cod or ling, derives
its name from the ftones taken off the cliffs when they lie upon
the fifh to prefs them ; for klip fignifies a cliff, and fome authors
derive the name of klip-fath, or cliff-fith, from being laid out upon
the cliffs to dry. |

* Mr. Anderfon fays, that the klip-filh which the Icelanders make of ling, is not
fo good as that of cod, for which reafon it is only ufed by the natives for their own
confumption. He fays alfo that they are not very fuccefsful in their klip-fifh, which
for the better part is indifferent, fpoils very foon, and therefore is not exported. To
this he adds, that the different ways of curing fifh are peculiar to different countries,
and he wi Norway the preference for round-fith, Hitland for klip-fith, and Iceland
for dried fith.

2 C H A P.

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.

RAE. VIE
Concerning the haddock.

HE haddock is called in the Iceland language ife, and
is not one of the moft contemptible fifh about the
ifland =, There is a great plenty of them, and at certain feafons
nothing elfe is caught.. When they are fat, they are a well tafted
fifh. I know many at Copenhagen who prefer them to cod, but
the reafon is perhaps, becaufe they there are fcarcer. The Danith
merchants and the Icelanders make klip-fifh of them, and I muft
confefs, when cured in that manner, they are as good as cod.
The merchants will not buy them of the Icelanders either cured
this way or dried, but they buy them frefh, computing three
haddocks worth two cods, which is a fign that klip-fith is made
of them, and that they are not much lefs than the cod +. Ge-
nerally fpeaking, they areas large as moft of the cod. A vaft
many of them are. dried, and when the company’s fhips are gone,
I am certain, much more dried haddock remain in the ifland than
cod ; becaufe the latter are ufually bought up by the merchants,
in a far greater proportion than the former. The inhabitants
among themfelves efteem haddock equal to cod, and commonly
mix and fell them together. The haddock is diftinguifhed by
its fcales, which are generally fcraped off when klip-fith is in-
tended to be made of it. It is alfo well known by two remark-
able thick bones on the top of the head.

pt. Sr, igh a Elk oo:
Concerning the whiting.

HE whiting, called in the Iceland language life, is here
larger and fatter than I any where obferved it. The
flefh is very delicate, and more like that of the haddock than

the cod, becaufe white; and from thence deriving its name.

* Mr. Anderfon fays, that fkiel-fith or ife, the fame as the haddock, is a fpecies
of cod. When boiled it flakes off from the bone in pretty thick, round flakes, and
has remarkable fcales, by which it is diftinguifhed from the reft of the fpecics.

+ He alfo fays, that this fith is not fit to dry.

Ny Not

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82

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.

Not many being caught, they are moftly eaten frefh, and thus
but few are dried, not being eafily fo preferved, and therefore
not fo fit for market. _

CHAP. LX.
Concerning the fort of cod which the Icelanders call tifling.

HIS fifh is called by the Icelanders tifling, which fignities
a diminutive cod*. It is called by the Danes titling, and
by that name is very well known at Copenhagen, to fignify a
{mall cod, and therefore nothing different from the young cod, '
as I before obferved. There is a middle fort between this and
the large, which they call ftutting, and in Denmark, middle cod;
but in the main, it is one and the fame fifh, and only different
in fize. This fifh is variegated with grey, gold and black fpots.
In the fummer it is lighter coloured than in winter, and thofe
that have lain fometime near the fhore in the weeds, have a
brighter gold colour under the belly than the reft. The Icelan=
ders generally make flat-fith of them, and when they deliver to +
the merchants great ftacks of them, have as good a price as for

the other dried filh +. They are alfo almoft as common.

CoH AP. LR

Concerning the cole-fifp.

HE cole-fith, called by the Icelanders ypre, is, I believe,
a fpecies of cod, which it refembles, and is almoft as
large. It is a well tafted fifh, and eaten by the Icelanders.
When dried it is well known to be very good, though not quite
equal to cod i. No large quantities being taken, not much is

dried for ufe.

* Mr. Anderfon fays the tifling has fmall fcales, which are hardly felt or difcerned
in the eating of it when boiled.

+ The fame Author fays, that the Danifh merchants make Alat-fith of this fimalt
cod, and call them titlinger. They are in his opinion, a very delicate fifh, and only
made ufe of for prefents to people of rank and fortune at Copenhagen, and confe-
quently are feldom fent any where elfe.

t He alfo fays the cole-fith is very lean, and fuch indifferent eating, that the Ice-
landers do not ufe it, unlefs in a fcarcity of better.

Cr AF,

NATURAL HISTORY of JCELAND,

ka ok tar AB IT XTE

Concerning flounders.

HE flounders here are very fat and fine, and are fit to
dry, to be laid up for winter provifion. This I have
experienced myfelf, and have likewife feen them exported in
fhips, whofe crew on throwing out ‘five or fix nets, have catched
great quantities, which they falted, dried, and carried away with
them *. The inhabitants in general.eat them frefh, falt being
too precious. ‘They never catch them otherwife than when they
throw out their line for cod, and if then a flounder fhould bite,
they catch it againft their will. It is true, in a few places they
filh for them with a net, and get vaft quantities, but all are for
prefent ufe. To dry them, they muft be firft falted, and for
want of falt, they cannot proceed to this operation.

Gh. AS Dy i¢ LXill.

Concerning the turbot.

GREAT many very large turbot are caught about Ice-

land, fome fix foot long, and broad in proportion +. The
inhabitants prepare a difh of them, which they call Riklingur,
confifting of long flices cut lengthways, firft dried, and after-
wards dreffed.

ko Bes Ae Et DV s-

Concerning mackarel,

ACKAREL is a fith quite unknown to the Icelanders,
either by that or any other name. As they come from
the north, and take their peregrination through the ocean, and

pafs by Hetland, Scotland, England, and ftill farther fouth, it

* Mr. Anderfon fays, the flounders are fo very fat, that when dried, they will
not keep, but prefently turn red near the bones, therefore as {poiled, they are not fit
for exportation.

+ The fame Author fays, that fome turbot taken on the coaft of Iceland, have

weighed 400 |b, !
19

83

84

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.

is poflible they may mix with other filh about Iceland, though
they never ftay, or ever are caught fo as to be known: this feve-
ral of the natives have afiured, me. They catch a fifh here in
feveral places, chiefly weftward, which they call fteenbidder. It
is not the fame with that of this name in Denmark. In fize it
is nearly as large as a cod, of a dark colour, no fcales, fhort
head, {mall mouth, with a great many fharp teeth, and in af-
pect very fierce. ‘The fifhermen take a great deal of care when
they catch this fifh, that it does them no mifchief. It is with-
out doubt the pus marinus, and may be called the fea-pike, as
refembling very much the frefh water pike. Its flefh very good
is eaten both frefh and dried by the Icelanders. At certain fea-
fons this fifh is more frequently caught than at others, and in
general is of great ufe and benefit to the inhabitants. There is
another fifh much like this; and called by the Icelanders Klir, :
which is very good eating, and is caught in feveral places, but not
in fuch abundance. Rodmaven, or red-belly is a fifth I before
mentioned, in difcourfing of the fea-gull, and therefore will
not repeat what I faid.. It is caught in great abundance with
hooks, nets, and with fpears, much after the manner of the eel-
fpear. It affords a delicate difh, being drefled feveral ways, and
is very good when falted a little, dried, and then fmoaked. Of
the fame form and fhape as the rodmaven, is a fifh frequently
caught, which the Icelanders call graae-maven, or grey-belly.
It is fomewhat larger, and very good eating. Both are reckoned
to be the fame fpecies, the rodmave being called the male, and
the graaemave the female ; becaufe in the former they never find
a hard-row, nor in the latter a foft. The thornback, which the
Icelanders call fkata, is in great plenty, and is a very fine fifh,
efpecially when cured in the manner of klip-fith, The tax
price’ demonftrates it to be a good and defirable fith, being rated
at double the price of a large cod. Karve is a well tafted fifh,
and is fometimes caught with the hook, but not in any plenty.
By fhape and tafte it feems to me to be the perch. Thefe are
the principal fith of the fmaller kind about the coaft, which are
of great ufe-and benefit to the inhabitants ; I fhall now give an
account of the larger fort in the ocean.

2 “ CHA p.

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.

GiB APs -EXV.

Concerning the whale.

HALES of all kinds are in abundance about Iceland.

They have particular names, and to enumerate them all
would make a treatifé. The great Greenland whale often ap-
pears on this coaft, and becaufe he has a fmooth back without
fins, the Icelanders call him fletbakar, that is, fmooth-back *.
The fand whale is of a quite different kind. Several other forts
of large whales appear about the coaft, and in the creeks and
large bays, as in Hvalfiorden, which from thence derives its
name, and in many more on the weft coaft. I have {een ten or
twelve at a time in Hyvalfiorden, which ftopped up the en-
trance. ‘They generally arrive there about the latter end of July,
or beginning of Auguft, and are not a {mall fort, the Icelan-
ders having catched fome 200 and 240 feet long+. In order
to catch them, a boat goes out and endeavours to get as near
the fith as poflible. An expert perfon being at hand to ftrike
him with an iron harpoon, as foon as the blow is given, the boat
immediately makes off as quick as poflible. The harpoon is
ftamped with the mark of him that ftruck it in the filh. The
whale not being able to furvive the wound, if hit well, dies,
and floats to fome part of the coaft; but if the wind fets from

* Mr. Anderfon fays, the great Greenland whale, not caring to venture clofe to
Iceland, for fear of fhallows, keeps out in the fathomlefs ocean about Spitfberg, and
under the north pole.

+ The fame Author fays, that as foon the Icelanders obferve the whale in purfuit
of the herrings towards the coaft, they without delay get into their boats, and taking
their harpoons, {pears and knives with them, row away, and endeavour to get be-
hind him, and as clofe to his body as poffible. When the wind fets to the fhore they
throw into the fea a quantity of all forts of blood, which they provide themfelves
with on purpofe. The wind blowing it about the flying fifh, they row gently after,
and the fith perceiving himfelf purfued, is for turning about, but finding the fea all
bloody, which he detefts, and rather than fwim back through it, he turns again, and
driving towards the fhore, runs a-ground, or into narrow creeks, where he is catched.
The wind happening to be unfavourable, they have recourfe to another method, and
this is, by throwing large flones into the fea at the whale, and fetting up a hideous
noife to frighten him; whereupon finding himfelf purfued, he darts off with precipi-
tation, runs a-ground, and cannot ftir. So foon as they have frightened him a-
ground, they all furround and give him ftab upon ftab, till by the violent ¢ffufion of
blood he expires. Then they cut off all the blubber they can, and as they are not
very dainty, take fome of the ficth alfo, and carry it home.

fs the

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86

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND,

the fhore, is fometimes carried out to fea and loft. If the
fith comes afhore, by the laws of Iceland, a certain fhare be-
Jongs to him that owns the harpoon, and the proprietor of the
land where he ftops has the reft. ‘This is all the art they make
ufe of to catch whales, and is the full extent of their ingenuity.
But as they are now provided with fifhing tackle, harpoons, and
other implements, anda perfon that underftands the bufinefs to
teach them, I prefume whales will not for the future eafily ef-
cape them *. The fins are fold to the Danifh merchants, and
are not fmall, as may be concluded from the above-mentioned
fizes of the whales. The blubber of the whale they melt down
in large pots, in which they firft have put fome water. The
train that fwims on the top they continue the fkimming off as
long as there is any+. The flefh that remains in the pot has no
trainy tafte in their opinion. They take and put it in their fyre,
which is as four as vinegar, and when macerated for fome time
in this liquor, it becomes very good eating. ‘This is the way
many of the Icelanders prepare this flefh for ufe. I have been
told by thofe who have eat of it, that it is very good; but it
will not be amifs to obferve, that as the flefh of all whales is not
fit for eating, the following general rule to know which is, may
be eafily attended to. ‘The flefh of thofe whales that have teeth
are not fit to eat; but thofe without teeth may be proper food.

CP aA SO ee ee

Concerning the porpus.

HE porpus, which the Icelander calls nife, is from five
to eight foot long. They roll themfelves about in the
fea, and move but flowly. Their flefh is very good. The Ice-
landers kill a great many with their harpoons. Sometimes they

* Mr. Anderfon fays, that the fins being but fmall, the Danifh merchants do not
much regard them, and that the Icelanders have fuch miferable tools, that they can-
not cut them off; for which reafon they are left on. They are fhaped like a fabre-
blade, are of a horny fubftance, and adhere on each fide of the upper jaw-bone, ina
hanging manner. This is what is commonly called whale-bone. Its ufes are various.

+ The fame Author fays, they throw the fat into a veffel or hogfhead, and letting
it lie a quarter of a year, it melts by degrees, and leaks through; that which leaks
through in that time, is the fineft and beft, and muft not be poured off, or boiled

up.
chafe

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.
ehafe them afhore, being eafily frightened, and they kill them

in June as well as in other months. None here fuppofe them to
be blinder at one time of the year than another. They {wim
not quicker, but that two men in a boat may keep up with,
manage and take them, and this both before and after the month
of June; for their fight is the fame all the year round. There
is a whale called the {pring-whale, and very often eighteen foot
long, which will jump furprifingly in the water, and take great
delight in purfuing boats; but when they jump out of the
water to throw themfelves on a boat, their eyelids fall over their

eyes and blind them *.
ERAT. IV It,
Concerning the fea-calf +.

HE fea-calf is called by tie Icelanders haakal. They

catch a great many by a fort of machine which they
fink to the bottom of the ocean, with a buoy faftened to it, that
floats on the furface. The hooks are rivetted to iron chains to
prevent their biting them off. When the people go out to fee
what fuccefs they have had with their machine, they find fome-
times twelve or fixtcen: faft to the hooks, which by tying the
chains to the boat-ftern they drag afhore. This turns out a
very profitable fifhery. Though the flefh of this fifh is good
eating, it has notwithftanding been obferved, that thofe that
have eat much of it frefh, or often, were affliéted with fevere fits
of illnefs, or died fuddenly. It is therefore now not eaten, till
it has hung up for a twelvemonth, and all the fat is melted away ;
then it taftes like fmoaked or dried falmon. Once at an enter-
tainment, a Danifh merchant eat of it, and believed it fuch, till
he was undeceived. No train is extracted from the fleth of this

fifh, but the liver is fo large, that it often yields thirty gallons of

* Mr. Anderfon fays, the porpus is a fpecies of whale from five to eight foot long.
They {wim fo very faft, and are fo quick in the water, that they are with difficulty
got at. The Icelanders would be unfuccefsful in their queft after them, were it not
for the extraordinary circumftance of their becoming blind in the month of June.
Our author fays that Mr. Anderfon confounds the fpring-whale with the porpus.

+ Martin in his defcription of the weft ifles of Scotland, calls this fith the white

fhark.
very

87

88

P4

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.

very fine oil. In fea-calves eighteen foot long, livers have been
found of fo prodigious a fize, as frequently to produce the quan»
tity of two thirty-fix gallon cafks of oil.

CHA P LXVHOE
Concerning the fword-fifh or faw-fipp.

HERE are fword-fith, or faw-fifh, as well as other large
fith about Iceland; but as nothing peculiar is obfervable
in them, I will omit further fpeaking of them *.

CORA P.. TX

Concerning fea-bulls, and fea-cows.

T is commonly reported, that the noife and bellowing of.

thefe animals make the cows afhore run mad; but none here
ever faw any of thefe fuppofed animals; or noticed the bad ef-
fects of their bellowing. |

ORE ÆRE TERE
Concerning the feal.

VAST many feals are feen about this ifland, which the

inhabitants diftinguifh by the names of land-feals, ifland-
feals, and Greenland feals. The firft the fmalleft, and moft
common, are always near the land, and run up the creeks and
rivers to hunt the falmon, falmon-trout, trout, and fuch nice fifh.
Ifland-feals are the largeft, and fo called, becaufe they harbour
in the little iflands about the coaft, and prefer thofe that are un-
inhabited and defolate, in order to be quiet and at reft. The
Greenland are as large'as the ifland-feals, but yet are thought
to be of a different fpecies. They arrive annually in the month
of December, efpecially about the northern parts of the coun-
try, and generally ftay till May, at which time thofe that efcape

* Mr. Anderfon fays, that the faw-fith is fo eager in purfuit of the feals, that they
will Often jump afhøre to efeape them, and that he has been told, that the fea-bull’s
head is like that of an ox, and body and legs like thofe of a feal, and that their
bellawing makes the land cows mad, or to run ftaring after the found.

I the

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAN D.

the Icelanders depart. They come in great numbers, and are
caught in nets in fome of the bays and creeks where they har-
bour. Twenty or thirty nets, each full twenty fathom long, are
fo ranged like a wildernefs or decoy, that they cannot well ef-
cape, but muft be caught in fome of them. When the people
draw their nets, they fometimes find two hundred of them, and
feldom under fixty, each of which they value at two rixdollars,
they yield a deal of train-oil, and their fkins are very fine. In
- the diftri€& of Oefiord, the inhabitants feldom ufe nets, but kill
them with a harpoon, at which they are very dextrous, and get
a great many. ‘They car take their aim at forty or fifty yards
diftance, and throw a harpoon faftened toa line, and hit their
mark, The Greenland feals are ten foot long, and few under
four. I don’t find that they appear in any other part of the
ifland, perhaps they may weftward ; but what I have related is
certainly true. The ifland feals are caught in abundance about
the uninhabited iflands, where they think themfelves fecure. Se-
veral men go together for this purpofe to thefe iflands, where
they watch them when they come afhore to bafk themfelves in
the fun. As foon as they perceive them laid out, they fall upon
them with clubs, and knock them down, often to the amount
of a hundred at a time. In the fame manner they kill the land
feals, which are not near fo plenty as the Greenland, though
met with all round the ifland. Such as are taken fouthward are
generally {hot with a gun that carries a great way. This is an
article that ought not to be omitted in a genuine defcription of
this ifland, the feals that are caught about it, being of great be-
nefit and advantage to the inhabitants.

G H A» Py) LXXk
Concerning frefo water fifh.

SHOULD be tedious, were I to enumerate the many rivers
that abound with falmon in this ifland. In the northern
Oefiord, Skagefiord, Hunnevatns, Borgefiord, Guldbringe, and
Arnes diftricts, vaft quantities of falmon are taken, as alfo in
other places, but not in fuch abundance. It is a general re-
mark, that where rivers run from the frefh water lakes in the
Aa country

8g

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.

country frequented by trout, there falmon ufually go up from
the fea*. It is well known, that the falmon always go againft
the ftream, and againft any water-fall, and will jump to an in-
credible height over the falling current. Their way of catching
falmon, is by:a kind of machine, which they call falmon-chefts,
with covers, locks and keys. Thefe are put in the middle of
each arm of the rivers that run to the fea. The river is ftopped
up on each fide of the cheft, to prevent the falmon getting by,
and on the fide of the cheft that turns to the fea, there is an
aperture big enough for the largeft falmon to pafs through.
Pieces of hoops are nailed clofe to each other on the infide, and
about the edges of the aperture. They are fharp-pointed with-
in the cheft, and are made pliable, that the falmon may eafily
bend them open, to make their way in. By their elafticity, they
{pring together again when the falmon enter, and it is impoflible
for them to get back,’ the points of the hoops turning againft
them, and keeping them confined, till thofe that are on the
watch come and open the cover, and take them out alive +. In
the river Heller, and in other fmall rivers, they ufe nets for
catching them, ‘which they do in great plenty, by reafon of the
fhoals of them that are met with in various parts of the ifland.
Befides falmon, are vaft quantities of trout, and of three or four
different forts in the lakes of Myvatne and Tingvalle, which are
thirty or forty miles in circumference. Of this delicate filh
they have fuch abundance, efpecially in Myvatne, that they dry
and make flat-fifh of them. They are exceeding good this
way. Some falt them, and in fome places there is fuch plenty,
that the people live upon them all the year round, drefling and
making them palatable feveral different ways. I have eat very fine
eels here, but the Icelanders in general, having an averfion to them,
never trouble themfelves about them. It is not therefore known
whether there be any great quantity. I do not think there are

* Mr. Anderfon fays, that near Holm in Ellera by Kleppee, as well as in
other deep rivers, and where the water falls from the rocks, there are always falmon.
Our author calls this river Heller, and fays it may be always forded, and that there is
no ftrong current or water-fall in it.

+ He alfo fays, they catch falmon in what they call chefts, which are laid a-crofs
the rivers. Thefe chefts are made of lathes nailed together, through which the fal-
mon.can make fhift to pafs, but cannot return.

other

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.

other forts of frefh water fifh in Iceland; but as thefe are the
niceft and moft delicate we have in Denmark, I thought them
worth notice, and of great confequence to Iceland.

CHAP. LXXIL

Concerning Jnakes.

whole ifland *.,

N O fnakes of any kind are to be met with throughout the

CHAP. LXXIIL.

Concerning infeéts and vermin.

O country on the globe is lefs troubled with infeéts and

fuch fort of vermin. Spiders there are a few, but beetles
and horfe-flies are fearce known. The only troublefome thing
‘of the kind are gnats, which are pretty large, and in great num-
bers in the northern diftri@, and coldeft part of the country,
efpecially about the lake Myvatne, which from thence derives its
name +. They torment the people as well as the cattle, and
travellers are obliged to hang a piece of gauze over their face to
keep them off; for their fting fmarts to a great degree. This
proves that the cold is not too fevere for fuch {mall infects to
breed and live in. The northern diftri abounding more in
wood, gnats are more frequent there, chiefly by the fide of rivers
where bufhes grow. I before obferved, that where fifh is cured,
a great many flies will gather about them, when they lie out to
dry. No other forts of infeés are met with. When much dry
weather has happened, and it afterwards rains, worms will ap-
pear in abundance, crawling about the ground, as in other coun-
tries. Another fort of worm appears in very rainy weather,
which as the inhabitants imagine, falls with the rain}. It is

+ Mr. Anderfon fays, it is owing to the exceffive cold that no fnakes are found in
Iceland. |

+ The fame Author fays, that this country breeds but few infects on account of
the long and exceffive cold, and for want of trees and bufhes; fuch as it does, are
chiefly horfe-flies, which he tells us lay their eggs in the noftrils, and the innermoft
edge of the Foramen ani of cattle, where they are hatched by the natural heat of the
animal.

t He alfo fays, that when it rains, fo many rain-worms, Lumbrici Terreftres, ap-
pear, that people think they come down with the rain,

green,

Ot

92

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.

green, and in fhape and fize like a filk-worm. When about
half grown, they hurt the grafs very much wherever they fall.
However, they are not common, and it is but a little {pot of
ground they occupy.

ee A Sie Dee

Concerning mice.

HERE are a great many mice in this ifland; for as all

are obliged to lay up a ftock of provifion in their houfes,

the mice find fufficient ftore. The merchants, who leave the
factories in the winter, lock up their houfes during that time,
and at their return in the fpring, find by their provifions, that
they have had many guefts, their tubs of flour being partly emp-
tied, and their dried fith gnawed and eaten by them. Undoubt-
edly, they can endure the cold; for no fire is kept all the time
in thefe houfes *, i

CHAP. LXXV.

Concerning the fun when above and below the horizon.

N the northern part of the ifland, taking in the divifions of
Hunnevatns, Skagefiord, and Oefiord, the fun is not feen
conftantly above the horizon at any time. This is only perceived

* Mr. Anderfon fays, very few mice can live in Iceland, upon account of the
piercing cold and fcarcity of nourifhment in the ground, where they prefently dig
into fulphur, or come againft a rock. He relates a ftory told him by a perfon who
averred that he had feveral times made the experiment, and found it matter of fact.
This was in the church-yard of the ancient cloyfter or abbey of Widoe, which has this
peculiar property, that as foon as a moufe is let go upon the ground, it inftantly ex-
pires. His opinion in the cafe is, that the fulphureous vapours, by exhaling ftronger
here than any where elfe, muft be the chief caufe of the death of the animal, and fo
much the more, as the ground all over the ifland is nothing but fulphur, with a lay
of mould over it, and this church-yard impregnated perhaps therewith in a ftronger
degree than any where elfe, which may eafily be difcovered on the fpot, either with
a candle, if not too dangerous, or by digging in the ground and {melling to it.
Our author turns this ftory into ridicule, and affures us, there is no fulphur in the
ground at Widoe; but that it is one of the fineft and moft fertile iflands about Ice-
land, and that if there was fulphur, it could not poffibly bear fuch fine grafs as it
does. He fays, that by fmelling to the ground, he could not difcover the leait odour of
fulphur in it. Befides, it was formerly the refidence of fome dainty monks, who, as ©
experienced in the art of indulging themfelves, would have made choice of a whol-
fomer and more pleafant {pot to refide in, if this did not ferve their purpofe.

in

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.

in the extreme northern points at cape de Nord, and at Lange-
nefs, where the fun is feen, fome time before the fummer fol-
ftice, and fome time after, perpetually above the horizon, and
in appearance about the height of a man*, In the fouth part
of the ifland we reckon the fun’s altitude at the winter folftice,
about two degrees above the horizon, including refraction. I
was not at the northern part of the ifland, but fome learned and
ingenious men, who lived there many years, informed me, that
in the fhorteft day in winter, they fee the fun one hour above
the horizon, and have four hours day-light, befides twilight.
This is the actual cafe to the northward; but not in the moft
extreme northern points. In the divifions of Strand and Ife-
fiords, the days are fhorter, but not fo fhort as to be deftitute of
refractionis beneficio. An hour and a half, or three quarters twi-
light, continue during two entire months; but no fuch place is
known fouthward, the fun at the winters folftice being feen three
hours above the horizon, and the days full fix hours long ; for
erepufculum matutinum & vefpertinum, or the break of day in
the morning, and twilight in the evening, continue much longer
in Iceland than in Denmark ; becaufe the fun is a great while
before it rifes and fets, going a long: way, as it were, clofe un-
der the horizon before it entirely difappears, that is, the circle it
defcribes under the horizon, being more oblique than in Den-
mark, or more fouthern parts, where it rifes and fets more per-
pendicularly, and therefore makes the crepu/culum of a fhorter
duration +. Confequently, the fun’s drawing near to the hori-

zon,

* Mr. Anderfon fays, that on the north fide of the ifland from the middle of June,
to the latter end of July, the fun is perpetually above the horizon, and to appearance
- outer ring is upwards of a man’s height from the furface of the fea above the

rizon.

Our author argues againft this affertion, and fays, that even illiterate people know
that the fun’s altitude is the fame at an equal diftance from the tropic on either fide;
and as the fun enters the tropic the 21ft of June, there are at moft but fix days from
the middle of that month ; but from the time the fun enters the tropic to the latter
end of July are forty-one days, confequently there muft be a great miftake in this
account.

‘+ Mr. Anderfon fays, that in December and January, the fun is entirely invifible,

except on the high rocks that turn to the fun, where alittle light may appear, and this
undoubtedly only in confequence of refraffionis beneficii, or a twilight of one hour and
a half; or three quarters. Our author obferves, that here is a like miftake in regard
to the time of the fun’s being invifible, as was before about the time of his being
conftantly above the horizon, The fun’cannot be fo many days invifible under»the

Bb horizon,

93

4

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.

zon, and leaving it much quicker than where the circle is more
oblique, muft be the reafon why the days or day-light in Ice-
land, is much longer in proportion to the time of the fun’s be-
ing above the horizon than in more fouthern parts. Although
I knew it to be fo, I could not imagine it had fo great an effe&
as I experienced, being furprifed to find the days almoft as long
here at the winter folftice as in Copenhagen, though the fun
was not fo long above the horizon. Hence it may alfo be ac-
counted for, why the days increafe fafter in Iceland, and parti-
cularly after the days and nights are equal. In the beginning of
May, hardly any night paffes but one may travel and do bufi-
nefs as in the day-time, and in the middle of May, one may fee.
to read all night, and that even in the fouth part of the iland.
Northward it begins fooner, and is much lighter.

© HsaA PS LXXVE.

Concerning the aurora borealis, or north light.

HE north light appears in every refpect, after the fame
manner it does. in Denmark, except that it is more fre-

guent, and happens without any rule or order, not depending of
the days lengthening or fhortening *. Neither does it appear juft
upon the fun’s fetting; for I have often not obferved it till eight,
nine or ten o'clock at night. Sometimes it has lafted only an
hour, fometimes longer, and fometimes it has appeared by in-
tervals all night; but not always fo. It appears as bright as in
Denmark, and is very ferviceable to travellers, but not fufficient
light to do any labour or work by +. Nothing invariable is ob-

horizon as he is vifibly above; for the refraction makes the fun appear longer above
the horizon in the fummer than he aétually is, and vice ver/a to appear fewer days under
the horizon in winter than he ought. Notwith{tanding Mr. Anderfon makes the
fun remain half a month longer below the horizon in winter than above it in fum-
mer, which is quite againft the nature of the thing ; for there may be places where the
fun is above the horizon eight days conftantly at the fummer folftice, but never quite
invifible at the winter folftice, and both from the refraction which we know is very
{trong at the-horizon.

* Mr. Anderfon fays, as the days decreafe in Iceland, the north light begins to ap-
pear, and encreafes in duration and brightnefs as the days decreate, lightening all
night long in the winter, and gradually difappearing as the days begin to increafe.

+ The fame Author fays, when the fky is clear of fnow, rain, and clouds, or
when a bright ftar-light fky appears, the fun being fet, and only twilight, then the -
north light is feen, which lafts all night, flafhing and dancing fo bright, that it does
not only refemble the light and brightnefs of a full moon, but even furpafles it.

fervable

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.

fervable in the fhooting forth of its rays. I have as often feen it
fhoot forth from the fouth as from the north, and it often ap-
pears in a bright broad bow from eaft to weft, and will remain
fo a good while. Sometimes it plays all over the fky, fhooting
all its rays to the zenith, and feldom fixes in clear and diftin&
hows to the fouth and north, as it frequently does in Denmark *.
The Icelanders have no notion of its foretelling what weather
will happen, farther, than if coloured and playing about, they
then think it will be windy; if ftill and bright, they exped fine
weather ; and if the bow remains the whole evening in the
fouth, and afterwards in the north, they imagine either rain or
fnow will fall; but thefe conje@tures are liable to great miftakes,
neither do they depend upon them. I cannot fay, that the Ice-
landers think the north lights more frequent now than formerly,
though it is thought fo in Denmark +. The learned Mayran
has publifhed an excellent treatife on the aurora borealis, or
north light.

GÆL A PD EXXVI

Concerning thunder and meteors.

T thunders very feldom in Iceland. In the north thunder

fometimes happens in fummer ; but in the other paits of the
land, not till about Michaelmas, and very rarely in winter.
During the whole time I continued in Iceland, I heard it thun-
der but once, and this only three or four claps about noon, in
the middle of June. I allow it may have thundered in other
parts of the ifland that year; for Iceland is fo large, that the
thunder cannot be heard every where; fo that upon the whole,

* Mr. Anderfon fays, the north light always fhoots from the north or north-weft,
to the fouth, and fometimes fills the whole fky.

+ He alfo afferts, that as far as he can fee, it is plain and demonftrable, the north
light can have no other origin than the {trong fulphureous vapours, which readily
take fire, and muft be very high in the air, becaufe feen at fuch a great diftance. In
warm climates, fuch vapours take fire and vanifh in lightening before they get to any
great height; but here nearthe north pole, on account of the great coldnefs of the
carth, they afcend to the uppermoft part of the atmofphere, where being collected,
condenfed, and comprefled, at laft by frequent collifions take fire, and then like a
fine piece of fire-work, dart their rays about. Our author fays) that the learned
Mayran does not derive the caufe from the bowels of the earth, but traces it much

higher.
it

95

96

NATURAL HISTORY o ICELAND.

it is plain, that not much thunder happens in this ifland, and
that when it does, it is neither peculiar to fummer nor winter *.
The thunder at Copenhagen is by far ftronger, as I am credibly
informed by thofe that have heard it feveral times in both places.
Ignis fatuus, ignes lambentes, and fuch like meteors, are feldom
feen in Iceland, the air being in general too clear for collecting
them +. . It is true, I have feen ftars fhoot, but not fo frequent-
ly as at Copenhagen.

CHAP. LXXVIII.

Concerning parhelions, or mock Juns.

NEVER faw but two parhelions in Iceland, both which

happened in the month of April, and were fucceeded by
fine weather 3. The firft was in April 1750, at which time
two coloured funs appeared about the fun, and were attended
with mild thawing weather. The fecond I obferved in April
1751. Both were bright in the forenoon, and one having pafled
before the fun in the ring, vanifhed in the afternoon. The other
was afterwards feen only behind the fun. This parhelion was
fucceeded by fine mild and calm weather, as it had been before
for fome time. JI never faw any other in Iceland. I have been
told by fome, that they appear but feldom, and when they
do, it is moft commonly in the fpring of the year, and the
people as. well as in Denmark, think they bode bad weather
which does not always follow more in one place than in the other.

* Mr. Anderfon affigns the fame reafon for there being but little thunder in Ice-
land in the fummer, as he does for the aurora borealis; but adds, that it is by far
more violent in winter.

+ The fame author fays when it fnows, there appears in particular a number of
ignes lambentes, &c. Undoubtedly in a country where they deal fo much in train. and
fifh, there cannot want matter to produce thefe appearances. Such flames and lights
as they appear to be in the dark, adhere to all their clubs and fticks, mafts, fails, and
oars, hats and caps,-or any thing elfe. The. poor people, fimple and ftupid as in
moft countries, are frightened by this fire, though they cannot light any thing by it,
or ever faw an inftance of the kind. As foon.as they take notice of it, they run inta
their houfes, fhut the doors, and are forely afraid left it thould get to their hearths,
and incorporate with the other fire, and fo fet the whole building in flames.

F He alfo fays, that about the latter end of fummer, parhelions often appear,
which are fucceeded by ftormy and bad weather, as the people ufually prognofticate.

2 ”

& Of ay. FE sål

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.

CHAP. LXXIX.

Concerning the feafons of the year.

HE meteorological tables hereto annexed, plainly fhew

when the feafons change, and from them it may appear,
that in the year 1750 and 1751, the f{pring-feafon was very fa-
vourable *. Grafs with other plants began to fhoot both thefe
years in the middle of April. The autumn was alfo very favour-
able, and as fine and as mild as ever I faw in Denmark, which
I was very much {urprifed at. The fame happened in 1749.
The firft nights froft was then not till the 29th of Odober.
The day following there was fome {now, which only fell that
day, the weather afterwards becoming for fome time rainy. In
1750, the oth of October, was the firft of froft and {now in
the night ; but the fame ceafed in a few days, and the weather
was very mild again for a confiderable time. In regard to the
{pring, my obfervations fhew, that on the 1 5th of April 1750,
it began to be clear and calm, and fine {pring weather enfued,
juft as in Denmark. In 1751, it began about the middle of
April, and continued fine and mild, the grafs fpringing up in
many places the beginning of the month; and indeed, finer
weather could not be wifhed for. The thermometer all the year
round will confirm how good the feafons are, which I could not
have imagined, had I not known it by experience. My obfervations
will alfo fufficiently demonftrate, that the tranfition from fummer
to winter is not fo fudden, but that there is an intervening {pring
and autumn. The Icelanders reckon their fummer from the
Thurfday that falls between the 18th and 24th of April, and
their winter from the Friday between the 18th and 24th of
Oétober. They may compute fo; but nature will not hold to
that ftandard ; heat and cold fcarce ever admitting fo fudden a
tranfition ; and thus it is their fpring and autumn muft happen
when the days and nights are equal, which time they them{elves
often call by the name of fpring and autumn. Though the Ice-

* Mr. Anderfon fays, the Icelanders have but the two feafons of fummer and
winter, which fuddenly change from one to the other, without any intermediate milder

weather, as {pring or autumn.
Cec landers

97

98

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND,

Janders reckon their feafons in this manner, which makes fum-
mer and winter, except one day, of equal length; yet it muft
be allowed, that the winter is much longer. It is fo even in
Denmark, and of confequence fhould be of greater continuance
here. It fnows and hails fometimes in the fummer, which it
equally does in Denmark. How great the heat is in fummer,
may be determined by the meteorological obfervations. It is
certainly very warm fometimes in the fummer, but I cannot fay
that it ever is fo fultry, that there is a neceflity of throwing off
all cloaths. When the days were hot, I found the nights fo in
proportion, which at that time cannot be very cold, the fun be-
ing but three hours below the horizon *. A little fnow or hail
may happen to fall in the fummer, but it does not come of a
fudden, and may be perceived fome days before, by the cold-
nefs of the air, which is alfo obfervable in Norway and Den-
mark, A like quantity of fnow does not fall every year,: fome
years being very {nowy, and others not: neither does it {now
all over the ifland with one and the fame wind, each place hav-
ing a particular wind that brings fnow and rain +. The two
winters I was there, efpecially the laft, but little fhow fell in the
fouth part of the ifland, and not fo much as commonly at Co-
penhagen. It hardly fnowed above two days together, and in
frofty weather perhaps not for a fortnight or three weeks. When
it thaws, the fnow is prefently gone, and the cattle are turned
out to feed, and even find fome nourifhment on the ground,
during the whole winter. In the north the fnow is in much
greater abundance, and fometimes falls very thick and heavy,
burying the -houfes, efpecially where they are fituated among
rocks, (from which the fnow tumbles down) and making all the
lower parts level. Though this fometimes happens in fome few
places, it cannot from thence be inferred, that the whole ifland
is in this condition, it being evident, that to the fouthward, and

* Mr. Anderfon fays, it is fo hot in the day time in fummer, that the people are
obliged to throw off all their cloaths; and in the night fo exceffively cold, that they
cannot cover themfelves fufficiently ; and inthe morning, he adds, all the country
round is feen covered with fnow.

+ The fame Author fays, that vaft quantities of fnow fall in the winter; that it
fnows moft commouly with eafterly winds, and that the houfes and fields, &c. are
all covered with heaps of fnow.

other

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAN D.

other parts, the like feldom, or ever happens. In the north, a
north wind generally brings fnow along with it, as does alfo the
Ice that comes floating from Greenland, which befides occafions
a fharp nipping cold, and often very fenfibly felt in the fouth.
As the north wind brings {now to the northward, fo in. the fame
manner other parts of the ifland have their particular winds,
which blow from the fea. Hence it cannot be properly faid,

that fuch a wind occafions fuch weather all over the ifland ; be-

caufe every part of this great ifland having fomething peculiar to
it, it is not foeafy to give a genuine and faithful defcription,

which requires a very {tri enquiry, and thorough examination.
In the months of February and March, very fevere weather fome-

times happens, and often to the north in April", But gene-
rally fpeaking, the month of April is very mild, and though
the preceding were very fevere, which may be feen in the meteo-
rological obfervations, fharp frofts having exifted from time to
time in the winter months of 1751, that is, in January, Fe-
bruary, and March, yet April was very mild and fine. It may
alfo be feen, that in the year 1750 and 1751, fouth and eaft
winds blew chiefly in April, but very little north wind, efpe-
cially the laft year; and what is moft to be wondered at is,
that of the few north winds that blew, fcarce any were attended

with frofts, except in the night time, and thefe but inconfider-
able.

CHAP. LXXxX.

Concerning the weather.

ANY days, and fometimes weeks, pafs without any per-
ceptible brifk gale of wind, the weather being quite

calm and ferene, as the meteorological tables may fhew +. The
wind is changeable here as in other countries, but not generally
fo high; though I will allow, that the weather is frequently

* Mr. Anderfon fays he has been informed, that they have moft exceffive cold
weather, particularly in April, as then north winds conftantly blow, and bring with
them more and more fenfibly piercing and cutting icy particles from the more remote
icy mountains under the north pole.

+ He alfo fays, that the wind in this ifland is never fettled, but continually chang-
ing and veering about.

more

99

- TOO

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAN D.

more ftormy than in Denmark, which is partly owing to the
fituation of the mountains. It may be calm in one place, and

perhaps ten or twelve Englifh miles farther, exceeding tempe-
ftuous *. During my ftay in the ifland, two very great ftorms
happened. When the weather is fine in fummer, the night is
frequently ufhered in with a land-wind all over the ifland, and
between nine and eleven in the forenoon, generally comes a fea.
breeze, which lafts till five in the afternoon. Thefe land-winds
and fea breezes, are in no refped tempeftuous, neither are they
attended with heavy rains, or other inclemencies of the air.

During the land-winds, the weather fets generally fair; but the
fea breezes often bring with them rain or fnow, according to the
time of the year. Thus a fouth-eaft, or fouth-weft wind ufual-
ly brings rain or fnow to the fouthward, whilft to the northward
there is-fine, clear, frofty, or dry weather; and vice verfa, a
north wind caufes fhow or rain to the northward, whilft the
fouth parts enjoy fine dry weather. At Beflefted fome high
winds have happened as well with north and north-caft winds, as
with fouth-eaft.

C PDA Pe - LU XXXL
Concerning the ebb and flood, or the tides.

HE ebbing and flowing of the tide, is the fame as in
other countries, that is, twice in twenty-four hours, and
changing every fix. The tides are always higheft about the new
and full moon, and particularly when the days and nights are
of equal length. The ebb and flood are called by the Icelanders

flod and fire. It feems as if it were a rule in Iceland, that the

wind, rain, and fnow, fhould, each at times, increafe with the
flood in this manner, that if the wind rifes a little at ebb-tide,
it grows ftronger and ftronger with the flood ; and though it
may feem to be allayed when the tide is out, yet it generally rifes
again on the return of the flood, and gradually increafes as the
water {wells : but if it be ftill, when the tide is coming in, it

+ Mr. Anderfon fays, thata north-weft wind brings fine weather, at leaft to the
fouthward, and on the contrary, a fouth-weft bad weather; but a fouth-eaft, very‘
great ftorms,

moft

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.

moft commonly continues fo. With regard to the height of the |

tide-water, I have obferved, that at the higheft fpring tides it
rifes to fixteen feet, and at other times to about twelve.

Se TT WHEE SIGNS Fo. 0.8.41 8

Concerning the Jea water.

HE fea-water round this ifland, at leaft in fome places,

is much falter than in other countries, and there is good

reafon to think fo, by its leaving in fummer the rocks incruftated
with falt, when the tide is down, and the moifture evaporated.
The country people fcrape it off with knives, and in holes in the
cliffs at low water, find it fometimes in great abundance. It
appears by ancient deeds of donations in catholic times, to the
clergy of eftates and privileges, that among other things, the
emoluments arifing from falt-works were afligned them: even
certain traéts of land, as Langenefs and other places, deftined
for the fame purpofe, have been annexed to the bifhopric in the
north, and ftill belong to it. To this may be added, the expe-
riments made to refine falt to greater advantage than in Den-
mark, which fufficiently demonftrates, that the fea water here,
contains more falt than is ufual in other places. It never freezes
to fuch a degree in Iceland, fo as to cover the fea about the
fhores with ice: the reafon is, becaufe the fea runs almoft every
where quite up to the land, which, together with a confiderable
ebb and flow, fo keeps the water in agitation, that it cannot admit
of being frozen, even by the moft intenfe cold. Itis true, notwith-
ftanding that in fmall creeks and bays with a narrow entrance,
the fea water is often quite frozen up, chiefly upon account of
its being fheltered by the land from the boifterous waves of the
ocean. Hence it is, that greater quantities of fea water are
frozen in the fouth than in the north; becaufe abounding more
in creeks and bays; but it has not been known in the memory
of man, that the fea was ever covered with ice, fo as to hinder
the iflanders from going out to fifh, The only ice that incom-
modes them in the north, and hinders them from putting out
to fea, is that which comes floating from Greenland ; fometimes
D d {preading

TOI

102

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.

fpreading itfelf many miles about the north coaft, and in ap-
pearance, like another country joined thereto, and fometimes
filling the eye with the refemblance of mountains and dales, with
live animals, flying and clambering up and down, as falcons,
bears, foxes, &c*. This ice occafions exceflive cold, and thick
fogs, in the northern parts, which alfo in fome meafure extend
to the fouthern ; for when a cold fpring happens, the inhabi-
tants immediately conclude, that great quantities of Greenland
ice lie to the northward ; and hence it is, that thofe who have
been only in thofe parts, may imagine it is fo all round the ifland.

CHAP, LXXXIII

Concerning the climate of Iceland, and the conftitution of the
inhabitants.

ET ROM my meteorological obfervations, and what I re-

marked relating to the weather, it is plain, that Iceland is
a healthy country to live in. I can partly avouch by my own
experience, that the air and weather: of this country will agree
better with a ftranger, than the air and weather in Denmark
would with an Icelander +. The fummer’s heat in Denmark
would be rather too much for him, though not much hotter there
than here; whereas the fummer in Iceland would be quite agree-
able to any foreigner, the air being neither thick nor fultry, nor
the winters in general colder than in Denmark. The only dif-
ference I find between Denmark and Iceland is, that in the
latter, ftormy and windy weather is more frequent. But it can-
not from thence be concluded that the country is unhealthy 3
rather the reverfe fhould take place, as by thefe winds and ftorms
the air is purified, and rendered more wholefome f. The Ice-

* Mr. Anderfon fays, the fea is falter than elfewhere about Iceland, which he at-
tributes to the exceffive cold that freezes fo much of the fea-water without the fale
into vaft fakes. The high winds by carrying away the better part of thefe flakes,
whatever is left behind muft of confequence abound with much falt; therefore the
fea-water about Iceland may be deemed falter than in other countries.

+ The fame Author is of opinion, that Iceland is a healthy country for the natives,
and thofe that from their early youth have been accuftomed to the air and weather.

+ He alfo fays, they live toa great age, and many of them to a hundred and up-
wards, enjoying life chearful and undifturbed, and being very little acquainted with
the weakneffes and ailments that attend old age in other countries,

landers

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.

landers are endowed with good bodily ftrength, by being inured
to hard labour from their youth, but not from childhood; for
whilft children, they are kept as tender, and are taken as much
care of as the children in Denmark: but when the lads are big
and {trong enough to row a boat, and to go a fifhing, they muft
then enter upon a fcene of toil and labour, which is very hard,
efpecially in the fifhing feafons. ‘Till they attain the fufficient
degree of age and ftrength for being capable to go outa fifhing,

they are kept within doors, as are alfo the women, and therefore |

cannot bear much cold or hardfhip. Hence it may be a fubjeé&
of furprize, how the men afterwards are able to fuffer fo much,
not being brought up thereto from their infancy. The Icelan-
ders, as I faid, are endowed with good bodily ftrength ; but this
firength continues only from the age of twenty to fifty, at which
period it is ufual with them to fall into a decay, by reafon of
the various diforders that come upon them, and at laft put an
end to their lives. Confumptions and afthmas, the reigning dif-
orders among them, are occafioned chiefly by the many hard-
fhips they endure at fea in fifhing, and their carelefsnefs of pre-
ferving their health. In the latter refpe@, they do not mind
jumping into the fea to fave their boat from running aground,
or receiving damage again{t the rocks, and frequently keep on
their wet cloaths, even in froft and fnow, without changing any
thing, It is very rare to fee any one in this ifland live to a hun-
dred years, or even to eighty. Some may live to that age and
enjoy health, but the generality are weak and fickly in their old
age, and very few turned of fifty, can boaft of much health.
Coughs and confumptions fo affliX them, that none hardly ever
wear as well, or have fuch florid complexions as the people of
Denmark. In the fifhing feafons, they are obliged to toil very
hard; and at other times they can do nothing, being feveral
months in the winter quite idle. ‘Thus by not being conftantly
in excercife, the return of labour becomes too heavy and too
fatiguing *. Moderate exercife contributes to health, but too
hard labour weakens, waftes and fhortens life. As high living

* Mr. Anderfon fays, they lead their lives in ignorance and fimplicity, without
any great care, living on a fimple, mean dict, and always employed in bodily exer-

cife,
breeds

103

104.

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.

breeds difeafes, and makes people old before their time, fo like-
wile does a too poor and mean food, which cannot yield fufficient
nourifhment to recruit wafted {pirits and ftreneth. Plain and fub-
ftantial food moderately ufed, ftrengthens the body, and is produc-
tive of long life; but thefe people cannot even well afford that,
being moftly poor, and fome of them having many children, and
a wife to provide for. ‘The women are not ufed to any heavy
exercife, or hard labour ; for excepting the hay-harveft, their
other work is chiefly done by them fitting; fuch as the cleaning
and combing of their wool, fpinning and knitting of gloves,
{tockings, &c. weaving a kind of coarfe cloth, and making their
cloaths, fhoes, and fuch work, as requires no great bodily
{trength. As it commonly happens in moft countries, that pea-
fants and labouring people have the beft teeth, fo alfo this is re-
markable among the poorer fort of Icelanders, who cannot fpoil
them with high feafoned things, and other dainties, being ob-
lized to content themfelves with a coarfe loaf of rye, which
fcowers their teeth, and leaves them in no want of brufhes or
powders for this purpofe *. The fame effect they experience in
their dried and well beaten ftock-fifh. The women are delicate
and chilly, and though their work requires no ftrength, excepting
the hay-harveft, I do not think, that they properly can be
called ftrong and healthy. In many cafes they ftand in need of
a phyfician. They have fometimes hard labours, and many of
them die in child-bed for want of the afliftance of fenfible and
experienced midwives +. In their beft times, they generally keep
their bed unmoved eight days, and many muft even keep it lon-
ger, and fuffer a great deal by the ignorance of their midwives ;
and it is not uncommon at thofe times, for a poor woman to be

deprived of her health for ever after.

* Mr. Anderfon fays the Icelanders in general have fine white and found teeth.

+ The fame Author fays, the women are as fturdy and as ftrong as the men, and
that they have generally eafy labours, and bathe themfelves as foon as it is over, and
go about their ufual bufinefs.

CHAP.

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.

CHA P. LXXXIV.
Concerning the prevailing difeafes in Iceland.

ROM what has been obferved in the foregoing chapter of

the men, when turned of fifty, being troubled with heétic
diforders, and the women fubjed to very hard labours, which
are attended with many accidents; it may appear, that the
Icelanders, as well as the reft of mankind, are liable to various
difeafes. They call moft of their difeafes Jandfarfot, which an-
fwers what the common people in Denmark call by the general
name of fevers ; the /andfarfot being properly not very diffe-
rent from a fever in its fymptoms. Spedalkbed, or the leprofy,
another difeafe, which many are infected with, is for the moft
part hereditary, but not commonly infectious *. This is not the
difeafe which goes by that name in Denmark, but rather a {curvy,
of which feveral have been cured by a medicine difcovered by a
learned Icelander. Cholics, confumptions, and hypochondriac
diforders, are more epidemical among them, and would make
good work for a number of phyficians, if the poor people could
afford to employ them. The leprofy is the moft prevailing dif-
eafe, which continues, as it were, rivetted in them, till they
are otherwife worn out with hard labour and age. As it is he-
reditary, I don’t apprehend that their diet and manner of living,
is the caufe of it; for they are not fo uncleanly a people as they
have been reprefented by fome travellers; and though they are
afflicted with various diforders, it cannot be denied, but that they
are found in body and conftitution, which are not impaired, but
by their many hardfhips and great labour, which at laft expofe
them to thofe complicated diforders +. When the Icelanders are

* Mr. Anderfon fays, that fevers and other difeafes are feldom heard of in Iceland,
and that there is hardly fuch a thing known as a phyfician or furgeon, their defi-
ciency being abundantly compenfated by the many excellent herbs and wholefome mi-
neral waters, which the Icelanders continually drink without thinking of their falu-
brious qualities. To thefe may be added, the conftant winds that cleanfe and purify
the air; the clear, dry and long cold weather, and the innate robuftnefs of the inha-
bitants, together with (as it has been before obferved) their excellent digeftion.

+ The fame Author fays, that their common difeafes are the cholic and leprofy,
which are cafily accounted for by their coarfe and filthy food, and their nafty way of
living.

Ee taken

105

106

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.

taken ill, they fubmit themfelves to God, and leave nature to
help itfelf, few among them having any medicines, or knowing
how to apply them. However, when they feel ficknefs, they
always take fome boiled milk made into whey, and fet afide the
ufe of tobacco and fpirituous liquors, except the patient be fo
habituated to the fame, that he cannot do without them *. The
reafons for their not having phyficians, may alfo take place with
regard to furgeons, though they frequently ftand in need of
fuch, upon account of the misfortunes that fometimes befal them
from broken limbs or the like. Their cafe in thefe circumftances
muft be very deplorable, fo much the more, as fcarce one
knows how to apply a proper remedy, for want of which they
often perifh, or after enduring a deal of pain are miferably cured +.
They are not fo robuft and hardy that nothing can hurt them ;
for they are human beings, and experience the fenfations com-
mon to all mankind ; and the fevere cold and {harp air, are of
no fervice to any of the external hurts and fores they may re-
ceive.

CHAP. LXXXV.
How they bring up their children.

wees children are put to the breaft, they are let to fuck
as long as is ufual in other countries ; but the far greater
part are brought up by hand. The Icelanders are as tender and
as careful of their children, as I ever faw any parents. They
have cradles for them, as in other countries, and thefe of two
forts, fome that rock, and others that fwing. They give the
children the beft milk, not fkimmed, and never when turned
into whey t. The milk they are taught to fuck out of a horn,
in the manner they do in Denmark, to bring them up by hand.

* Mr. Anderfon fays, if any of them are taken ill, milk only warm from the cow
is adminiftred to refrefh them, befides a little tobacco to chew, and a large dram of
brandy to put their ftomach in order.

+ The fame Author fays, they are fo hardy and robuft, that they do not regard a
little hurt; becaufe the greater part of their external hurts foon heal of themielves, .
probably by reafon of the cold and clear air. i

t He alfo fays, they fet their children on the ground, and by them a litcle veffei
with whey, into which they ftick a pipe, tied round with thread, or a thick quill, and
a bitof bread, if they have it, to ftrengthen the child: thus when the child wakes,
or fhews figns of hunger, they turn it about to the veflel, and put the pipe.in its
mouth, and let it fuck as long as it has oceafion.

5 | When

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.
When they carry the children to church to be baptized, which

is fometimes very remote from their habitations, they generally
take fuch a horn or a phial filled with milk, with a rag tied
round for the child to fuck through *. In this manner they

bring up the children with milk till they are turned of a year

old, except there is fuch a fcarcity, that it cannot be had, which
happens in fome feafons of the year, efpecially among the poor.
Befides the ufe of cradles, as I before obferved, they likewife
drefs them up in fwaddling cloaths, as they do in Denmark, and
feldom coat them till they are nine or ten weeks old+. The
women carefully tend and nurfe them, and carry. them about in
arms, and in all refpeé&s, a& the part of tender and fond nurfes.
The children are all ftraight and well limbed, hardly any fuch thing
being feen as a cripple among them, and I myfelf never remarked
any hunch-backed, lame, or with other defeéts, from carelefs-
nefs in bringing them up.

CHAP. LXXXVI.

Concerning their manner of drefing victuals.

HEY generally boil their fith more than is cuftomary in
Denmark, and alfo boil it in fea-water taken along the

coaft, which is confiftent with reafon, and as far as I know better.
All their vidtuals they eat without falt, as before obferved, and
this too by choice; for though many can afford it, they do not
ufe it for this purpofe. Their chief fauce is butter, of which
they confume great quantities f. They alfo over boil their meat,

of

* Mr. Anderfon fays, when they carry their children to be baptized, or to any di-
fiance in the country, they dip a rag in whey, and put it in the child’s mouth to
feed on; but when the children are three quartersof a year old, they make them eat
the fame food as they do themfelves.

+ The fame Author fays, that cradles and fwaddling cloaths are things not known
to the Icelanders: for as foon as the children area fortnight old, they put them in a
jacket and trowfers, and let them Jie crawling on the ground, till they grow big
enough to get up and walk. In this miferable manner they are brought up, and har-
dened from the womb, though no fuch thing as a cripple is {een among them, or at
leaft very rarely. Hence we may plainly fee, how friendly nature alone will operate
where a true confidence is repofed, and the is left at liberty ; but our Author fays,
that if there was not proper care taken of them, accidents and hurts would be attend-
ed with the fame ill confequences as in any other countries,

t He here again alledges, that their food is very coarfe and mean, their vellels
very nafty, and their manner of dreffing ftill worfe, and not fit for human a

1¢

107

108

NATURAL HISTORY of ICEDAN D.

of which they have plenty, and eat more by far than the Danifh
farmers, or others of the like fort in many countries. In the
parts that do not abound much in cattle, they exchange fifh for
flefh. Undoubtedly here may be: found feveral very poor, as in
all countries, that cannot afford to ftock themfelves againft the
winter, according to wifh; but the generality of the farmers
kill ten or twenty fheep for their winter's provifion, befides fome
neat cattle. All their other vi€tuals, are confumed frefh, but
thefe they preferve in the manner as has been defcribed in the
foregoing part of this treatife. I before obferved, that in fome
places they have good turf; in others a deal of timber, which
comes floating’on the fea to them, ‘and in others little thickets;
but almoft every where bufhes, furz and heath ;. fo that but few
places are deftitute of fome fort of fewel, and thefe particularly
are fuch traéts of land as projec into the fea, or are fituate on the
extreme part of the fea coaft. Here the inhabitants may be under
fome difficulty for want of firing, and the poor muft make fhift
with fea-weeds, and dried fifh-bones *. However thefe cafes are ex-
traordinary, and do not feem as if they deferved to be mention-
ed. When they kill many theep together, they moft common-
ly pickle the heads in. their, fyre, a liquor already defcribed, and
as tart.as vinegar. . Thefe heads ; are nicely {craped, and boiled
before they pickle them downs, which is done in the fame man-
ner as in Denmark}: Afterwards for ufe, they fry them in a
pan., I do not doubt but they may tafte tolerably well. The
Icelanders are very.fond of any thing»that is fat, and fome of
the poorer people will eat the. melted tallow or fat of their young
The ordinary food among the greater part isa bit of meat, boiled with the heads of
cods, and other fifh, which they cut off; though fometimes they afford themfelves a
couple of whole cod, which they throw into a pot, pour fome fea water on them, and
when boiled a little, take and gobble up without any falt or {pice for a relith.

* Mr. Anderfon fays, they eat neither flefh nor fith while it is frefh catched or killed,
but let it lie by till it begins to ftink, otherwife it will not quicken their unpalatable
tongues. The fuel with which they drefs their victuals, makes the tafte {till more
naufeous, few having turf, and fewer wood ; fo that in general they burn fifh, and
other bones, over which they pour the fediment of their oil to make them burn the
better.

+ He alfo fays, their moft delicate dith is a fheep’s head, which they only finge
the wool off, and then put in the hot afhes to bake. When ‘done enough, they eat
it fkin and all to the very bones. Our author fays, nothing is wanting to this rela-
tion, but their eating bones and all, to make‘downright dogs of them. Mr. Ander-

fon adds, that they are fuch vaft lovets of ‘butter and greafe, that they will eat the
very blubber of the whale, and the oil boiled out of the liver. i

heifers

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.
heifers or fheep. Thefe poor people having been reprefented by

fome travellers and authors, as living in a very beftial manner ;
I fhall here briefly give an exact account of their way of living,
and ordinary food.

A great quantity of frefh Gt is eaten all over the country,
except in the parts that lie too remote from the fea, and the frefh
lakes, of which there are but very few, as I before hinted. The
quantity of fifth dried or cured for keeping, is little in proportion
to the great variety of different forts they get, and muft eat frefh.
The fith they dry and cure different ways, is chiefly for exporta-
tion, and the refidue laid up for home confumption, confifts moftly
of fuch fith as have changed colour, do not look fo clear and white,
and are touched by the froft, though in the main, full as
well tafted, and as fit for ufe. They boil their fifh generally
too much, and ufe a great deal of butter. The dried or ftock-
fifh, which they eat chiefly in winter, when they cannot get
frefh, is well beaten before boiled, and cooked up with a good
ftore of melted butter. They alfo much ufe for food the
milk of cows and fheep, both raw and boiled, and they pre-
pare of their cows milk their common drink called fyre, and in
the fummer make great quantities to ferve them all the year.
The curds and {weet milk they feed their fervants with, as well
as with fifth, and alfo allow them butter. They thicken up
their milk with barley, or other grain, and with flour make
hafty pudding. They put barley, or other grain, in their broth,
for want of herbs and fpices. In fome places they have cabbage,
which they boil in their broth. They ufe barley in almoft all
their vi€tuals, and particularly for making a fort of hafty pud-
ding. Their frefh meat they roaft or fry, but always firft par-
boil it, Some make ufe of peas, and rye-meal, to make a difh
for the fervants. Whatever they boil or fry in their ftew-pan,
is always quite frefh, and they rather over boil all their fifh and
flefh-meat, becaufe it goes very much againft them to eat any
thing that is not thoroughly done. ‘Their kitchen utenfils they
generally have from Copenhagen. ‘Their pots and kettles are
of iron, brafs or copper, which they keep neat and {weet. All
of them drefs their victuals very clean, except fome few, who,
no ) donb t, are as nafty as elfewhere, but a whole country fhould

F f not

109

TIO

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.

not be vilified, much lefs involved in the fame feandal on their
account. Thofe that have been abroad, and at Copenhagen,
drefs their victuals in the Danifh manner, and live as nice as
folks do there ; others learn from them, and in all other refpedts,
every one lives according to his inclinations and circumftances.

CHAP. LXXXVIIL.
Concerning the Jfcarcity of bread.

S no hufbandry is followed at prefent in Iceland, bread

muft be fearce, and of confequence not fo univerfally the
food of the meaner fort as in Denmark. However, it is not fo
very fcarce, but that they may have it, and lay upa provifion, each
according to his abililies *. I before mentioned the quantity of
bread and meal imported into each harbour, which is from 400
to 1000 tun + of flour, one third whereof is baked into bread,
and though not fufficient for their daily fubfiftence, yet they
cannot be faid to be entirely without it. - For celebrating feafts,
weddings, and publick meetings, they are always provided with
bread ; and thofe that have lived at Copenhagen, not doing
well without it, take care to have it all the year round. It is
no faving to them, in not having a fufficiency of bread for their’
families: their houfekeeping is the dearer for it, and their man-
ner of feeding their fervants, &c. is fo expenfive, that it would

not anfwer even in Denmark. Each fervant man is allowed to

the amount of ten pounds of dried fifh, and three pounds and
a half of butter per week: but none are thus portioned except
thofe that are fent on journies, or to the fouthward to fifh.
Such as continue at home, have a portion of fifh and butter every
day, or have frefh fifh, and fometimes flefh-meat, broth, peas,
and 'the like. The Icelanders by not having a fufficiency of
bread, are obliged to ufea deal of dried fifh, but not to eat it as
bread with other food. This fith is firft well beaten, and eaten
without boiling, with butter like a piece of -bread. Spread. over

* Mr. Anderfon fays, that the greater part of them, not being. in circumftances
to buy the meal which the Danifh merchants import, are obliged to live without
bread.

+ A tun is eight fkiepp, or bufhels. }

in

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.

in this manner with butter, it has a very good relifh, efpecially
dried trout, whitings, &c.* Some of our Danith civil officers
liked it fo well, that they ufed it on their journies, and eat it
with pleafure. The wild corn that grows in fome places, efpe-
cially in the diftri@ of Skaftefield, though not in any. great
quantity, makes very good flour and bread. It is very nourifh-
ing, and the Icelanders will not exchange a tun of it for a tun of
Danifh +. It fhoots up in deep fand, where no grafs will grow:
In fome places it ftands very thin, in others pretty thick, and
runs up two foot and a half high. The ears are long, and it
grows much like the wheat.in Denmark. A\s the Icelanders have
no good mills to grind their corn, they dry it too much. before
the fire, even burn it a little, which makes the bread blacker
than the rye bread is in Denmark.

Cy FAL... LXexR vin.
| Concerning their drink.

HE Icelanders are fond of clear water; -but the water is

not good every where, neither are every where mineral
waters found}. The water that runs from Jokells none drink
of, being very thick, black and ftinking, as I elfewhere have
obferved. But though they love water, their chief liquor is
fyre, of which in fummer they fill up many barrels to laft all
the winter. Thofe that keep a good ftock of cattle, make it
for fale. It is drank at frit without any adulteration ; but
when it grows old, it becomes too four, and they then mix
water with it. This liquor agrees very well with them. As
no corn is cultivated in the country, beer confequently mutt be
very fcarce, yet it may be had, and thofe that go to the trading
towns or factories about bufinefs, are always fure to find fome,
of which they buy a certain quantity to indulge themfelves

* Mr. Anderfon fays, that inftead of bread, they eat dried ftock-fith, and fuch as
is not faleable. They only beat it a little, and eat it with butter; but when they
have no butter, they take blubber, train or tallow, and fpread it thereon.

+ The fame Author fays, there is a wild corn that fhoots up fpontancoufly among
the grafs, which they make bread of, but foreigners cannot eat it.

{ He alfo fays, they praife the water that runs from the top of the mountains,
which is nothing but the ice and {now melted by the fun,

with

111

112

NATURAL HISTORY of. ICELAND.

with at home. Some of them lay in feveral barrels at a time,
and make ufe of it fparingly all the year round. Thofe that
have been at Copenhagen, cannot do without it.. They import
malt and hops, which they brew themfelves, and they may have
beer very well all the year round; but for this purpofe they
muft brew every third or fourth week *. Though they have no
cellar, yet the beer does not freeze more than it would at Copen-
hagen, where they have them very good: and convenient. The
hardeft frofts {carce freeze more than the cock, which is rendered
pliable, by holding hot coals under it before the beer will run,
and fometimes only by fetting a pan of coals in the room. Some
of the people keep French wine, both red and white, particu-
larly the minifters, who ufe it for the -facrament. Generally
fpeaking, there is not a more fober people’ than: the Icelanders.
I knew fome, and even of the more common fort, that do not
chufe to drink brandy, and feveral that drink’ it very moderate-
ly. There may be a few, as in other countries, who are very
fond of it. When they come to the faéories about bufinefs,
they then indulge -themfelves with brandy, and other liquors +3
A merchant or ftranger, on firft coming to thefe places, may be
induced to deem them a drunken, beaftly people; and. I my-
felf was almoft of that opinion, till I came into the country to
be better acquainted with their manner»of living. It is, certain,
that at the factories which they refort to but once a year, they
drink brandy to excefs; for it- comes but feldom in their way,
and is as great a treat to them, as a bottle’ of Hungary or Cape
wine to amerchant. But as this happens only occafionally, they
cannot be called drunkards, much lefs compared with thofe. that

are continually craving brandy, and drink themfelves drunk

whenever they can lay hold of it. When one confiders the {mall
quantity of brandy that is imported for 80,000 people, it is plain
there cannot be many drunkards among them. In each factory.

* Mr. Anderfon fays, that by not having cellars, they cannot keep their ale for
any time, on account of the fevere cold. i
+ The fame Author fays, that fome of the fubftantial people among them lay up

French wine at the faétories for their own ufe; but as they put it in dirty veffels, and

fometimes in thofe that have had four whey, and even train oil, without firft cleaning
them, the wine turns foul and ftinking. He adds,, that in general, brandy is the
liquor they are fond of, and that by it, young and old, men and women, fhamefully
get drunk,

there

7

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.

there may be a fcore of drunken, idle fellows,. always begging
of brandy, or expending all they get on it; but what are fo few
to the reft, who are very abitemious, and on their account,
fhould not receive the charaéter of drunkards. I never faw, nor
heard of the women getting drunk. When they come to the
faétories, I have feen them refufe brandy, and inftead of it take
a glafs of mafs wine, which is the name they give French wine.
Sometimes on taking their children with them to the factory, a
father will give his fon a drop of brandy, that he may tafte
fomething good, as he calls it, in the world ; for it is the next
precious liquor to wine they know of, and the poor children have
no other opportunity ever to tafte it*. The generality cannot
lay out much on this commodity at the factories, having many
other things to purchafe, as meal, timber, fifhing-lines, iron,
cloth, and a variety of other neceflaries. The better fort lay in
a little ftock of brandy, which ferves them all the year ; but thofe
that are drunkards, cannot afford to ftock themfelves with it, and
if they do, they cannot let it alone till all is gone.

C. HLA Po EXXXEX?

Concerning their drefs.

HE Icelanders are contented in procuring the implements

of drefs out of their own manufactures, which fhews
wifdom and prudence in them, and it were to be wifhed, that
other nations did the fame. Their outfide apparel is generally
a coarfe bays, which they call vadmel. ‘The women for the
greater part have petticoats and aprons of coloured cloth, of
which fome thoufand ells are fold every year. This cloth is not
fuperfine ; but they have it of different goodnefs, all of Danifh
manufacture. The better ‘fort, both men and women, wear
cloth jackets. As for the lawyers, and thofe in civil employ-
ments, they drefs in the modern fafhion, with full fuits lined

* Mr. Anderfon fays, that in all their dangers both by fea and land, brandy is
their principal comfort, and the main point they have in view. It encourages them
to labour, that they may get fomething to purchafe fo precious a liquor. When they
have attained their wifh, and provided themfelves with brandy, on the arrival of the
Danifh fhips, they never leave off drinking till all is gone; for while any is left, they
can do no bufinefs,

G g with

113

TI£

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND,

with filk, and in every refped as genteel as at Copenhagen. The
cloaths of the common people are made like thofe of feafaring
men, namely, jackets and wide breeches, or trowles, though
fometimes they wear a coat made in the Danifh fafhion. . They
have befides a great coat, which they call Aempe, and wear in
the winter to go to church in, or on a journey. The women
wear petticoats, jackets and aprons of woollen cloth or bays;
which they call vadmel, and over which they wear a kind of
wide coat, with narrow fleeves, that reaches down to their wrifts.
‘Thefe coats or gowns, are a hands breadth fhorter than the pet-
ticoats ; they are always black, and are called by the name of ©
hempe, which is the fame the mens great coats go by. Some-
times they are faced with black velvet, and fometimes the work
on them refembles point de la reine, which is very neat, and looks
well. Thofe that are rich, have wrought filver and gilt buckles,
or clafps, which are only faftened on for fhow or ornament. The
petticoats and aprons which are coloured, are bordered round and
down the edges with flips of coloured velvet, or coloured filk
tibbands, or a filk braid at the tie of their apron. Three great
filver philligre worked buttons, and generally gilt, are fixed be-
fore. The poorer women have them of brafs. The apron is
faftened to a belt, fet all round with filver buttons, or of brafs,
according to their circumftances, and clafped before with a clafp
of the fame metal and workmanfhip. Their jackets are always
made to fit neat and clofe to the waift, with narrow fleeves down
to their wrifts, and are laced in all the feams with coloured vel-
vet or ribbands, and faced down before with filk. On each
fleeve near the wrift, are four or fix buttons of filver or bra ;
and round the neck a ftiff cape is worn about three fingers
breadth, which ftands ere&, and under it the wide coat is
made to go. ‘This cape is covered with handfome filk or
black velvet, and a gold or filver braid round it. About their
head they tie a coarfe white linen handkerchief, and over that
another finer, formed like a tuft on the top of the head, anda
foot and.a half high. Over this they place a filk handkerchief,
or the poorer fort a cotton one, which is tied under the chin.
This kind of head-drefs is worn by all women, whether fingle
or married, and round their necks they have ufually another filk
or

NATURAL HISTORY of LCELAND.

or cotton handkerchief *; © In fhort, their vdrefs much ctefembles
what is met with in old pictures, and monuments >in churches;
except the head-drefs, of which I have not remarked any thing
fimilar in any other country. - The young girls wear caps, but
when grown up, they change them for thofe high heads. The
richer fort have a deal of finery about them, confifting of filver
and gilt philligree work, which they moft admire. Some: large
buttons of that fort of work, with coloured ftones fet,.in them,
and faftened to their fillet, are worn a little above their fore-
head. A bride on her wedding-day, wears a crown of. filver
under the white linnen tuft that ftands up fo high on their heads;
and on this occafion is ufed inftead of the filk handkerehief worn
at other times. They wear alfo two filver chains, the one hang-
ing down behind, and the other in the fame manner on the breaft.
The hempe or great coat, is never worn during thefe folemnities.
To the bottom of another chain, which hangs,down before, a box
of perfumes is faftened, with feveral partitions, and open on
both fides. “It is very often fhaped like a heart or a-crofs. I
have feen fome of them of gold. Several of the Iceland. ladies
have trinkets to the amount of three or four hundred rixdollars;
and indeed their drefs is vaftly neat and pretty. Themen and
womens fhoes, which moft commonly are all.made by the wo-
men, are of their ox’s hides, or for want of them; of fheep-
fkins, which they drefs themfelves, by only fcraping the hair off,
and afterwards drying them. To fet about making the thoes,
they firft foak the leather in water, and when duly prepared, they
go through all the different operations, and feldom..fail to. fit
them exactly to the feet, but fcarce ever trouble themfelves about
fixing heels to them. Their fhirts and fhifts are ufually made
of thin bays or flannel, though a great many -have them of
coarfe linen +. Their fithing garb is made of. fheep-fkin, which

they put over their other cloaths to keep off the wet, and which

* Mr. Anderfon fays, that their drefs and habitations are all of a piece with their
eating and drinking, but that the unmarried women wear handkerchiefs round their
chins, to diftinguifh them from the married,

+ The fame Author fays, that the men and women wear linen hhirts and thifts, or
properly ftockings and breeches of one piece, which reach on the men above the
navel, but not up to the navel on the women, over which they have other breeches
and a jacket of vadmel, or coarfe bays, or elfe of fheep-fkin.

they

115

116
I

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND. —
they daub with fith liver to foften them ; but they pull them off

as foon as they come afhore.

CASH GAN PP. Gis

Concerning their habitations.

T the entrance of their houfes, a long narrow paflage is
formed about fix foot wide, with crofs beams, a covering,

and fome holes on the fide of the door to admit light fuffcient
for the paflage. In thefe holes are fometimes panes of glafs,
but moft commonly a thin fkin or bladder ftretched upon a
frame, which affords a tolerable light. ‘There are fhutters for
thefe and other windows, in rainy or fnowy weather. At the
end of this paflage is the entrance into their common room,
which is generally twenty-four or twenty-eight feet long, and
about twelve or fixteen broad. Here the women fit and drefs
their wool, fpin, and do other neceffaries for the family. At
the further end of this room is generally a bed-chamber for the
matter and miftrefs of the houfe, and in the loft over it, the
children and maid-fervants generally lie. On each fide of the
aforefaid paflage, are two rooms, with doors in the paflage. The.
one is ufed for a dining-room, the other a dairy, the third
for the kitchen, and the fourth, which is juft by the outer door,
for the men fervants to lie in, or ftrangers of that fex, who are
a travelling. This whole building confifts of fix rooms, and
but one ftreet or outer door. Holes are made in the feveral
rooms to tranfmit the light, and as in the paflage, are covered
with panes of glafs, or with a fkin or bladder. In the large
common room, moft people have a couple of {mall windows,
in order to fee to work the better, ‘They have alfo frequently
a room built on one fide, clofe to that appropriated for the mer
fervants, which they call their ftate-room, where they receive vi-
fits. A bed is fixed therein, and a door that leads diredly in
or out without pafling through the houfe, and another door in-
to the fervants bed-chamber, through which the people of the
houfe pafs and repafs, without being obliged to go about. They
have warehoufes detached from the dwelling-houfe, to keep their
fifth, and winter provifion in; their horfe furniture, their imple-
ments:

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.

ments for hay-making, &c. near this they have another little
building, which is their fmith’s-fhop. Here they make all their
tools and tackle of iron and wood”, ” Ata little diftance: ftand
their barns and ftables, and one, two, three or four fheep-folds.
In one of thefe they keep the lambs by themfelves.. Their hay
is ftacked up about fix foot fquare, and a paflage left between
each ftack, and covered with turf, in a fhelving manner, for
the rain to run off, by which means their hay is well preferved.
Their common room, bed-chamber and vifiting room, are gene-
rally wainfcotted, and have a loft over them, where their chefts,
wearing apparel, &c. are kept. Thefe upper apartments have
alfo windows, two or three panes high; but the other buildings
without either lofts or windows, have only holes for the light, as
I before obferved, ‘with a pane, or the thin fkin + taken out ‘of
the ftomach of animals, and ftretched on a frame whilft warm,
after which it becomes very tranfparent, and admits the light.
Their furniture is not any way coftly, and confifts chiefly of
beds, and their vadmel or bays, which ferves them for making
pillows and bedding of. ‘They have plenty of feathers, but fome
of their common fervants lie very wretchedly, as often the poor
and mean people in Denmark do. They have tables, ftools,
benches, chefts, and other neceffary utenfils for a houfe. Thofe
of better rank and fortune, have their habitations well furnifhed
with looking-glafles, and every thing that is requifite in a gen-
teel way. As there is a great fcarcity of timber in the ifland,
and as building materials muft be bought of the company, which
confequently prove very expenfive, the inhabitants are obliged to
proceed to work in the moft frugal manner they can. They
therefore lay a foundation of large ftones, upon which they

* Mr. Anderfon fays, their houfes for the fake of ftrength as well as warmth, are
funk into the ground, and are feldom above feven foot high, in length about twenty-
four or twenty-eight feet, and in breadth not more than when a tall man ftanding in
the middle and ftretching out his arms, may reach the fide walls, which makes
them about fix foot wide. Along the fide of the wall, they build a loofe flight cover-
ing, high enough for the cattle to be fheltered in during the winter. The fame alfo
ferves for the fervants to lic in; for they only lay a little ftraw on the ground, on
which they Jie quite naked and cover themfelves with a piece of bays, which is fome-
times lined with a fheep-fkin, In this manner they lie, the one’s head againft the
other’s feet, or perhaps a board put between, to feparate thofe that do not Feloie to
each other.

+ Tunicas allantoidas,

H h erect

ay

1358

NATURAL HISTOR Yiof NODA MD.

erect the. frame-work..of. their building. The crofs ‘beams and
joifts:: they faften the, ;beft way they gan. Between the timber
work, they make. a wall of elay and, flones, and afterwards: lay
the rafters for the top, which are but fmall. The beft houfes are
covered with boards, which are nailed an inch or two over. one
another, for the rain to run off without running through. Meaner
houfes have furze and twigs,.a top) inftead. of na io and are
covered with turf. The walls are of ftones, and earth, or clay,
with grafs or turf between, which befides is laid over all the pofts
and beams, and thus renders the walls very firm, ftrong, and
well bound at the foundation. “They are ufually made four foot
thick, and run up flanting, that at top they may be about three
foot in thicknefs. This fort of walls makes warm habitations,
and keeps out equally the heat in fummer, and the cold in
winter; fo that in this laft feafon, they have no occafion to keep

eat fires, though fome in feyeral parts are provided with ftoves.
The foundation of, the houfes built after.this manner, is even
with the ground, or raifed a little higher. _When the walls are
all green, they appear like fo many hillocks, All farmers have
not fuch large habitations as defcribed, nor are they furnifhed with
fo many feparate buildings, though many have much larger. and
finer; but in fuch a general defcription as this, it is much the
better way to keep between extremes, by exhibiting that which
is more univerfal, as has been reprefented in the defcription of a
good farm-houfe, the proper model, for conveying the jufteft
idea of the place, whereas by delineating a miferable hut, this
idea, or any thing refulting from it, could be no more anfwer-
ed, than it would by difplaying the magnificence of his Majefty’s
feat at Beflefted, or of fome of the bifhops and lawyers houtfes,
or thofe of the civil magiftrates, and fome of the inferior clergy.
Thefe houfes are built of brick, like thofe in Denmark, and the
bifhop’s feat at Holum, confifts of fifty feparate buildings, be-
fides twelve ftables, or houfes for cattle; but fuch are far from
being a rule for the buildings in general throughout the ifland.
I have been at feveral other farms, which are like villages, with
many feparate buildings, but all fuch buildings belong to one and
the fame farm.

CHAP.

NATURAL HISTORY ofICELAND.

CHAP. XC.
Concerning their genius, and natural difpofition of mind.

SHE annals of this country fhew, that in ancient times
they were a warlike people, having in their inteftine broils

made great flaughter among themfelves. They are far from be-
ing a daftardly race, as fome authors have reprefented them ; for
it is well known that they made fome figure in a military life,
and have been raifed to the command of fortrefles. However,
as this country cannot {pare many of its inhabitants, and as for-
tunately for them, it is too remote for officers to come and mu-
fter up a body of recruits, few of them for thefe reafons have
been employed in the military way. In the fea fervice fome of
them have been promoted to the command of Dutch vefiels ;
and indeed, they feem beft adapted to a feafaring life, being
trained up to it almoft from their infancy. ‘The many ingenious
Icelanders fo eminent in the literary world, is a ftrong inftance
of their genius and good natural parts, and that they are not of
a flavifh abje@ difpofition. Every year fome of their felect
youth are fent to the univerfity at Copenhagen, where they
have conftant opportunities of exhibiting their genius and ca-
pacity, which are difcovered to be very remote from betraying
an abject fpirit, the reverfe rather appearing in them, to-
gether with fuch a fpirit of emulation for excelling others, that
feldom or ever a dull perfon is remarked among them: and even
in general, the common people have keen cunning heads, and a
deal of mother wit. As moft other nations, they have a ftrong
propenfity to their native place, though one might think they
would find more pleafure in other countries. Perhaps in this re-
fpeét, the hankering after home prevails more among the nor-
thern people than any others. However, many eftablifh them-
felyes at Copenhagen, and in other foreign countries, when they
have fettled in any certain bufinefs; and among thefe may
be feen profeffors, re&tors, feafaring people, goldfmiths, and
mafters in a variety of handicraft occupations. ‘The Icelanders
complain that their countrymen who go abroad, and learn many
things, whereby they might be of vaft fervice to them, f{carce
ever

119

120

NATURAL HISTORY of ICE LAN D.

ever return *. I fhall not undertake to examine, whether this
complaint be well founded: fome few undoubtedly do, and at
the bifhop’s feat of Holum, there is now an Icelander, that un-
derftands the art of printing to perfection. He learnt it at Co-
penhagen, and fince travelled about in foreign parts, and was
fent for from Dantzick to come home. The Icelanders are alfo
as induftrious as moft people in their feveral occupations, never
neglecting, or omitting any thing that ought to be done. I have
feen them row out to fea fifty or fixty times, and perhaps they
did not bring home in all above fixteen or twenty fifh, The
general failing of the common people in moft countries, pro-
ceeds from their being wedded to old cuftoms, which they will
not retract, unlefs upon the profpe& of very confiderable ad-
vantage +. This is the cafe of the Icelanders, though I pre»
fume, they are rather more cautious than obftinate, in rejecting
their old cuftoms ; for I muft confefs, that I found them fond
of feeing curiofities, and of improving themfelves, as alfo very.
ready to imitate, very handy at making any thing, and very ex-
pert in turning things to advantage.

CHAP. XCH.

Whether they delight in learning any thing.

CELAND has produced Thormodus Thorfeus, and Arnas
Magneus, befides feveral other illuftrious men. Some Ice-

land ftudents are now at the univerfity, and far from being re-

puted inferior to any, on the contrary, generally excel, few
being ever bad, or even middling among them. It is not at
Copenhagen alone that they are thus found ingenious, the people
in the country are confpicuous for like abilities; they prefently
learn any thing they are put to, and not fimply what they have

* Mr. Anderfon fays, that their poor diet and fatiguing life, which only exercifes
their body, cannot elevate their mental faculties, or ferve to make any improvements
po me and that being naturally of a daftardly difpofition, they are very unfit for
foldiers,

+ The fame Author fays, that they are a very licentious people, which is owing to
the too great liberty they enjoy, whereby they become ftupid and perverfe, and are fo.
bigotted to their own cuftoms, that though they are fhewed fhorter and better me-
thods, yet they reject all, and purfue their own old and obftinate ways.

been

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.

been brought up to from their early youth *. It is not the few
only that have been abroad, who learned to be peamen and ac-
comptants, and to work ingenioufly in gold, filver, brafs, and the
like ; but even the greater part of the inhabitants, who never were
out of the ifland, write very well. Among the learned are fome
excellent writers, and among the clergy and the people in gene-
ral, more write well than in Denmark. Thofe that go to Co-
penhagen, carry all thofe good qualifications along with them.
There are not, it is true, fo many good accomptants as writers,
yet feveral may be found, who never were out of the country.
The Icelanders that apply themfelves to any particular fcience in
Denmark, generally become matters of it. Copenhagen can afford
feveral inftances in this refpe€&t: even in Iceland, many very in-
genious men having taught themfelves without the inftructions
of a mafter, work in filver and brafs, and make philligre but-
tons and buckles for the women. ‘They are alfo ingenious car-
penters, joiners, and fmiths. In fhort, they exercife themfelves
in all manner of trades, and fome, by applying themfelves en-
tirely to one particular branch, become at laft perfect mafters in
it. They are very fond of taking notice of for imitation, or
contriving themfelves fuch new tools and inftruments as are
handy and convenient for their work ; and indeed this may ap-
pear from the great improvements they have made therein, and
at the fame time, may be a convincing proof of the delight and
pleafure they take in edification +. They calculate time by the
fun, or ftars, when vifible, but if not, they then adjuft this
point by the tide, which is always regular. Thus not counting
time by the clock or hour, as one, two, three, or four o'clock,
which they know nothing of, they have particular names for
every hour and half in the day in their own language, as for
inftance, noon, midnight, midevening, broad day, &c.

* Mr. Anderfon fays, that a propenfity to arts and fciences is not in the leaft ob-
fervable among them, yet he does not fuppofe, that they are naturally quite ftupid,
and not able to comprehend any thing. Some learned men have appeared in their
country, and fuch of them as have travelled, diftinguifhed themfelves as very inge-
nious artifans.

+ The fame Author allows them to have fome ingenuity ; for with very aukward
and bad tools, he fays, they notwith{tanding complete the various things they have
occafion for. He alfo fays, they have no calculation of time, and only regulate
themfelves herein by the ebb and flood, or the fun, when they can {ee it.

I i CH AP,

1215

122

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.

CHA Ps XCIIL. ,

Concerning their occupations.

AVING before often obferved, that the chief occupation

of the Icelanders is fifhing, or breeding of cattle, and having
alfo defcribed their manner of fifhing, and curing fifth, I fhall
here only add, an account of their manner of building boats *. In
the diftri& of Guldbringe, they build their boats of oak, but
in other parts moft commonly of fir, which by experience they
find to be- full as ftrong and as durable as oak, and attended
with much lefs expence. .In fome places they are made fmall,
and only for two men to row in, though even thefe will carry a
cargo of 120 fine large cod; but for the generality, they are
built in moft parts big enough to be rowed by four, fix, eight,
and fometimes twenty men; and the {mall ones are hardly feen
any where but at Guldbringe, and about Hvalfiorden. | In the
diftris of Rangervalle and Skaftefield, where the coaft is open
and fandy, they are obliged to drag their boats a great way up
the fhore, that they may lie fecure and fafe from the waves of
the fea+. Here alfo they have the largeft boats. In other parts

_ of the ifland, they -have but a fhort- way to drag their boats,

in order to fave them from receiving any damage; for the coaft
is no where fo flat as in the former diftris. The fort of anchor
they there ufe, confifts of a couple of {ticks run crofs-ways
through a heavy ftone. I have feen the fame in other places,
and was aflured, that they hold very faft to the ground, and
that the fifhermen are not afraid of their holding, even out at
fea, if they have good ftrong ropes or cables, which generally |
break before the ftone gives way. Whenever they make a fhort
voyage with their boats, and have got their cargo in, if a con-
trary wind happens, they will lie feveral days at anchor, rather
than drag their boats afhore.

* Mr. Anderfon fays, that their boats ufually built of thin oak boards, are fo light,
that two men can carry them on their fhoulders with eafe.

+ The fame Author fays, that having neither ropes nor anchors to faften their boats
with, they drag them very far up the fhore, to keep them from the waves, and to
prevent their being carried away, or dafhed to picces.

CHAP,

NATURAL HISTORY of LCELAND.

Gi A: Pod: SGT:

Concerning their cattle-trade.

N the former part, where a defcription was given of the man-

" ner of breeding cattle, the trade carried on with them, and
the fifheries, I fhewed that in fome places, breeding of cattle
and grazing, was the chief bufinefs of the inhabitants, who ge-
nerally fend their cattle up the country, and keep people to look
after them. ‘The greateft part of the ifland is well ftocked with
cattle, efpecially northward and eaftward, where many farmers
have from two hundred to five hundred fheep, which they turn
out at certain feafons, and at others keep within folds. The
fheep, which give milk are. fuffered to run about near the houfes,
and are feparated from the reft. Two or three times a year they
are all driven together, (which the Icelanders call Soyde-retter) to
be fent to the factories, and there fold”, Each of ‘thefe parti-
culars I have already fet forth at large. | |

CHAP. XCY.

Concerning the Icelanders tannery.

ANNING is performed in a very indifferent, or imperfect

manner in Iceland, the inhabitants being in want of bark,
and other neceffaries for this purpofe. However, as obliged
to make the beft fhift they can, they fcrape the wool or hair
off with a fharp knife on their knees, which they do very expe-
ditioufly, and afterwards wafh, clean, and dry the fkins, or
hides. To make the leather tough, and of fome confiftence,
they tread it fora confiderable time with their feet in whey or
falt water. When afhore or at home, they wear no fort of lea-
ther but in their fhoes; but when they go to fea to fifh, they
have a jacket, breeches and ftockings, made of leather, which
keep off the rain and fea water, and prevent their being wet

* Mr. Anderfon fays, that the trade with their cattle in general, does not give
them much trouble, and that in particular, the inhabitants of Weftmanoe turn out
their fheep on the {mall neighbouring iflands, where there is good ftore of grafs, and
from whence, as they cannot get away, they areeafily caught.

through,

123

124.

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.

through, which muft happen, if they had not on fuch a cover-
ing *. This outfide leather drefs they lubricate with fith-liver,
and train-oil, that the water may neither adhere, nor be foaked
in; but the fmell preceding therefrom is fo difagreeable, that
they never appear before the factors, or any of their betters in
this garb, and ufually take care to ftrip it off, as foon as they
come afhore. They have a way of giving a blackifh colour to
the ox hide which they ufe for faddles, and horfe furniture ; and
though there is nothing of art in it, but meer labour, it is not-
with{tanding more durable than the Danifh: but the faddles and
horfe furniture they make up themfelves, are not fo tough and
pliable as the Danifh, though they greafe them with train-oil,
which daubs the cloaths, and is otherwife very difagreeable *.

5 5 Soe: SE Lara <i oh
Concerning Some other of their employments. |

THEN they have nothing elfe to do, the men, women

and children, efpecially in winter, work at the cleaning, |

combing, twining and {pinning of wool. ‘Their manner of
weaving is much out of character ; for inftead of having their
weaving benches or frames in an horizontal pofition, as we have
them in Denmark, theirs are perpendicular, or upright, and fo
inconvenient, that they cannot weave above half a yard a day
of their coarfe bays, or as they call it vadmel, whereby it may
appear how inconfiderable the earnings are per diem, of thole
who in this refpect are obliged to get a livelihood by journey-
work. Of late fome Danifh weavers came among them, and
the Icelanders begin to imitate them fo well, that it is probable
this manufaéture will in time gain confiderable improvements, fo
much the more, as his Danifh majefty has alfo fet up feveral
weaving frames, and ordered ingenious mafters from Denmark

* Mr. Anderfon fays, that their way of dreffing leather is only by laying the hide
on their naked knee, and fcraping the hair off with a knife, after which, it is fit for
any purpofe they want it. He adds, that all the leather and fkins they ufe are greafed
every fourth or fifth day with fifh-liver, which makes them tough, but at the fame
time of fo offenfive a fmell, that no merchant or factor can {peak to them, or endure
to have them come near them.

+ Healfo fays, that the Icelanders live amidft perpetual ill fmells, and a kind of
hoggith filthinefs. |

ga

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.

to go over, by whom the natives being inftruéted in the proper |

methods of weaving, cannot fail of fucceeding with regularity
and good order, in.this ufeful branch of bufinefs. As hitherto
they have had no fulling-mills, it muft be imagined that they
have a deal of trouble in fulling and milling all the woollen

goods made in the country, fuch as jackets, breeches, ftockings,

mittins, &c. and indeed it is fo; for when they fet about ful-
ling, they have no other inftrument for this purpofe than a cafk,
or a barrel, with both bottoms ftruck out, into which, having
put the woollen goods to be milled, two perfons place themfelves
on the ground over-againft each other, and with their feet, go
through the operation in the cafk or barrel. Small things they
full upon a table againft their breaft, but both ways are very
toilfome, and attended with great trouble. As for gloves and
mittins, they put them on when they are going to fea, and after
dipping them in the fea-water, they mill them as they row upon
their hands, without any farther trouble. Thofe near the hot
wells, mill their things therein, and befides a quick difpatch,
make them much whiter. In fulling breeches and ftockings,
they are often put on, and the parties rock themfelves about with
them, by which means they have contracted a habit of perpe-
tually rocking and moving their limbs, though they have nothing
on or under them that wants-milling. The women wath chee
things generally in urine, ufing neither foap nor lye, which are
too expenfive, and muft be imported. However, they wath
their things tolerably well, though I muft fuppofe, not to the lik-
ing of all perfons: Thofe that have been in Copenhagen, im-
port foap, and wath as they do there. In point of dying, which
many of them underftand, they extract verdigreafe with urine,
from copper vefiels, whereby they dye their woollen yarn, and
weave pretty ftriped woollen ftuffs of various colours,

K k CHAP.

128

126

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.

CHAP. XCVIL

Concerning their manner of merchandixing.

HEN the Icelander brings his goods for fale to the fac-

tory, the merchant does not take them of him bond fide,

till every thing is feparately examined, and pafles through his
hands, fo that whatever is found unmerchantable is fet afide.
Sometimes, in fuch great quantities, fome indifferent things may
flip in, but the Icelander does not deferve to be blamed ; it is
the merchant’s fault, if he does not pay attention to what he
buys *. The new map publifhed with this treatife, points out
all the harbours in the ifland. The fith-harbours lie fouth and
weft, and the flefh-harbour north and eaft; but in fome of the
harbours, as Oreback and Stikkefsholm, both flefh and fifh are

delivered +. Thefe harbours were farmed out to merchants at

Copenhagen, and the merchant, who took a fifh-harbour, was
alfo obliged to have a flefh one: but in 1733, a company being
erected, and a charter granted, to trade.to all the harbours in
the ifland, the merchants keep their faétors and factories at
every harbour, and fend their fhips with fuper-cargoes, though
fometimes one fhip will touch at two different harbours, accord-
ing as the company may think neceflary, Befides thefe, there
are factors or merchants at each harbour, that go with the fhips,
and it is they that purchafe from the natives their commodities,
on the company’s account, and give them other merchandize in
return, or pay them in ready money, all according to a printed

tax-price, by which they muft regulate themfelves on both fides, ”

this regulation having taken place ever fince the year 1733. The
whole ifland with Weftmanoerne, is all farmed out to this com-

pany, and the faétors at the flefh-harbours, fix the days for the

* Mr. Anderfon expreffes great furprize, with regard to the deceit and cunning of
thefe people, who put in practice fo much artifice, that one muft take the greateft
care and caution imaginable to deal with them.

+ The fame Author, in order to give a perfect defcription of their trade, fays,
that it is neceffary to underftand, that the ifland has fourteen fifhing harbours, and
eight flefh, the former lying north and eaft, and the latter fouth and weft, and that
thefe harbours being farmed out to merchants at Copenhagen, thofe that take a fifh-
harbour, muft-alfo take a flefh one. Our atthror fays the harbours are now otherwife
difpofed of. |

farmers

“|

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.

farmers to deliver their fheep from each diftri@, and con=
trive to difpatch the fhips as quick as poflible. The cattle are
flaughtered for the fa¢tors about the. latter end of Auguft, or
beginning of September ; but the Icelanders kill none. for their
own ufe till the middle of O€ober, at which time the cattle are

fatteft and fineft, and have fenfibly more tallow than when they —

are killed in Auguft*, The Icelanders flaughter all. the cattle
for the fa&tors, and have the head and offals for their trouble.
The meat is falted down by the company’s people, and is cut as
at Copenhagen, chiefly in large pieces. The fkins of the fheep
are {prinkled on the flefh-fide with falt, and being laid together
two by two, are rolled up, and tied very tight together, and
thus are pretty well preferved. “The tallow is melted and pour-
ed into firkins or barrels. The factors take all the good dried
fith, corififting of large, {mall, and middling cod and ling, ac-
cording to the tax as before obferved, though of the latter but few
are catched or brought to market. At the fifhing harbours, the
factors alfo buy up the train-oil, Woollen goods are chiefly
brought to the flefh-harbours, though fome are delivered indif-
criminately at all.

CHAP. XCVII.
Concerning accompts and payments.

N Iceland, no other money is current than fpecie + and Da-

nifh crowns, and all accounts are adjufted according to the
number of fifh, Two pounds of fifth, are worth two {killings
fpecie, and forty-eight fifh make one rixdollar fpecie. A Danifh
crown, according to the tax, is computed tobe the value of
thirty fifh, a half-crown of fifteen, an half fpecie of twenty-four,
and a quarter of twelve, which is the fmalleft money current in
Iceland. In this manner all payments are regulated by fith,
and whatever comes to lefs than the value of twelve fifth, can-

* Mr. Anderfon fays, the merchants buy the cattle the latter end of Auguft, or
beginning of September, at which time the cold coming in, and the grafs changing,
and therefore not fo nourifhing, the cattle of confequence begin to fall off.

+ Specie is bank money, and confifts of all pieces of a whole, half, quarter or eighth
rixdollar. A rixdollar fpecie is about 3s, 6d. fterling

not

124

2128

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.

not be paid in money, but muft either in fifh, or roll tobacco,
an ell of which is equal to a fifh; fo that fith and tobacco ferve
there inftead of {mall coin. The largeft weight, called vette, is
forty fifh, or eighty pounds, equal to fave lifpound in Denmark;
the next to this, called foring, is five fifh, or ten pounds, and
the fmalleft, or fingle pound, is computed equal to half a fath ;
for one fith is generally of two pounds weight.

CH AR. XCIX:
Concerning the goods they export.

HE commodities they export are dried fifth, falted lambs
flefh, fome beef, butter, train-oil, a great quantity of
tallow, woollen goods, as coarfe and fine bays, or vadmel jac-

kets, ftockings and gloves, raw wool, {fheep-fkins, young lamb-

fkins, foxes {kins of various colours, edder-down and feathers,
and formerly fulphur, but now not taken any more from them:
thefe are the chief commodities of this country.

thi ae adele af

Concerning the goods they import.

HE goods imported to Iceland are timber, fifhing-lines,
tobacco, bread, horfe-fhoes, brandy, wine, falt, coarfe

linen, a {mall quantity of filk, and a few other things people in
good circumftances may have occafion for in their families. . All
thefe commodities are to be imported only by the Danes, who
for this purpofe erected a company, and have a charter from
their fovereign for the exclufive privilege; fo that no other
nation is allowed to trade there. Whatever the Icelander takes,
he makes a return for in his own goods, which if not fufficient,
the balance is paid in the above-mentioned money. |

CHAP,

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.

tal

fer A Ps Cr,

Concerning their weights and meafures.

HE weights of the Icelanders agree with the Danith,

pound and pound alike, except that they have no lifpound
and fhip-pound, theirs’ being confined: to: pounds, forings and
vette. Ten pound is a foring, and eighteen forings make a
vette, equal to five lifpounds.in Denmark. Their ell is fome-
thing fhorter than the) Danifh, and agrees with that of Ham-
burgh *. But as this ‘ell is the only meafure they ufe that agrees
with the Hamburg, it cannot with any juft foundation from
thence be inferred, when weights and other meafures are diffe-
rent, that the Hamburghers were the firft that eftablithed trade
among them. Certain it is, that they once traded to this ifland,
and inftituted a fociety or company, fometimes called by the
name of the fociety or company of Iceland traders, and fome-
times by the title of /arendreyers = but the prefent company efta-
blifhed at Copenhagen, will now neither fufter the Hamburghers,

nor any other nation to trade there. They pay an annual ac--

knowledgment ‘to the king, and shaving by a charter granted
them, the fole privilege of this trade, they cannot) allow inter-
lopers to intereept their profits. The Dutch a few years ago,
had two of their thips confifcated, which they fent to the north-
ward in the diftrid of Skagefiord, with contraband’ goods ; and
forme time before, had five fhips taken from them by a Danifh man
of war, which were condemned at Copenhagen as lawful prizes +.
Ever fince, foreigners have not attempted to trade to this place,
though I fuppofe the: Dutch, notwithftanding thefe rebufls,
{till now and then touch at Iceland ; for a coaft of 1800 miles
is not eafily guarded, even if an armed vefiel was kept on pur-
pole, efpecially as the people are the beft part:of the fummer

* Mr. Anderfon fays, their weights and meafures are in general according to the
ftandard of Hamburg, and that the Hamburghers were the frit that eftablifhed trade
among them.

+ The fame Author fays, the cunning Dutch know how to catch at. an opportu-
nity of {neaking in, the lord of the manor having no armed veilels.co defend the trade,
and merchant fhips, no ume to lie out and watch them,

it twenty

129

130

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND,

twenty or thirty miles out at fea a fifhing. No doubt, if the
company’s fhips had a commiflion given them, they would be

the beft guards of the coafts, as they fail all about the ifland. _

Gin aoe. GE

Concerning their religion.

HEN the roman catholic religion took place through-

out Europe, it was likewife the eftablifhed religion of this
ifland, and was not extirpated without fome effuffon of blood,
occafioned chiefly by the obftinacy of a powerful and bigotted
roman catholic bifhop and his party, which however coft him his
head”. Since the reformation, the evangelic lutheran religion,
is the only tolerated here; notwithftanding, fome fuperftitious
notions are ftill rooted in, the jilliterate. people, as in almoft all
other countries, though thefe’ fuperftitions are not properly the
refult of religious principles.

4G, HA Ra EGERN" |
Concerning the ecclefiaftical flate of this ifland.

CE LAND is divided into two, bifhopricks; the eaft, fouth,
and weft quarters being allotted to one, namely, the fee of
Skalholt, and the north quarter alone, conftituting the fee of
Hoolum. Each of thefe bifhopricks has a latin fchool, with a
reétor and other affiftants under him, who teach theology, and’
other branches of literature, and fit out thofe, who exhibit
proofs of their capacity, for the miniftry, and have them or-
dained priefts without going out of the ifland, or to the uni-
verfity at Copenhagen. . Some notwithftanding repair every year -
to Denmark, in order to purfue their ftudies in law or divi-
nity, at the univerfity of Copenhagen, and they generally have
the preference of thofe that have not been abroad, and get ‘the
beft livings, and moft lucrative civil employments. ‘The print-
* Mr. Anderfon fays, the lutheran religion is the only adhered to there, except
by fome few who defcend from catholic anceftors, and {till perfift in, and fecretly
practife fome fuperftitions. Our author'tells us, that all are defcended from catholic

anceltors, and were as ftri€t catholics before’ the’ reformation, as now they are lu-
therans.

ing-

NATURAL HISTORY of ICÉ LAND.

ing-office at«Hoolum, once removed to Skalholt, was brought
back, and is now in a very good condition. It was the legacy
of one of the bifhops of Hoolum, and in it are printed religi-
ous books, and all the king’s public orders, in the language of
the country. In the time of the reformation, a great part of the
church revenues were fecularifed, and now belong to the king.
The income of each bifhoprick may amount to two thoufand

rixdollars, out of which the incumbent muft keep the rector and

corrector, the minifter of the cathedral church, who is the bi-
fhop’s curate to preach for him, and a certain number of {cholars,
who have lodging, board, and cloathing allowed them; the
cathedral and palace are likewife to be kept in repair; fo that
the balance, after thefe deduétions, reverting to the bifhop, can-
not well amount to more than twelve hundred rixdollars per an-
num *, Each man pays the king a certain annual tax, called
Gieftold, which amounts to about ten fifh a year. Part of this
tax has been gracioufly granted by his majefty to the bithoprick ;
but it is neither a bifhop’s-toll, nor does the bifhop receive it of
every farmer in the country ; for in many places the king keeps
it entire, and in others, it is farmed out to the fyffelmen, or
lords of the manor. ‘The clergy’s revenues are not eafily afcer-
tained, becaufe they do not confift in ready money, but rather
in lands belonging to the refpective livings. Certain dues how-
ever, accrue to them from each farm, befides-fome fees for per-
forming certain offices. Some livings are tolerably good, fome
middling, and fome very poor. To make them better for the
poorer clergy, the king has given up fome of his eftates in the
bifhoprick of Skalholt, and in the bifhoprick of Hoolum, allows a
hundred rixdollars per annum, to be divided among them +. Some
livings are worth two hundred rixdollars per annum, and the

very pooreft of the clergy enjoy at leaft of the king’s bounty, four

* Mr. Anderfon fays, there is a printing-houfe at each bifhop’s feat, where they
print religious books in the native language. He alfo fays, that the neat revenues
of each bifhoprick, are only about 1200 rixdollars per ann.

+ According to the fame Author, there is a bifhop’s toll (as he calls it) which ob-
liges every man to deliver ten fith per ann. to the bifhop, and the beft livings, purfu-
ant to his calculation, are not worth upwards of a hundred rixdollars per ann. and
fome are fo very poor, that they do not bring in even four rixdollars a year; yet,
adds he, the incumbents are not to be pitied, becaufe they behave themfelves no
better than the meaneft farmer or boor,

rixdollars

131

NATURAL HISTORY of FOEUAMAD.

sixdollars paid them every year. The clergy have neither the
tenths of fifh, nor of any thing elfe, yet fome {mall dues muft
be paid them either in goods or money. In the Weftman iflands
it is cuftomary to give the clergy a kind of tithe of each boat,
when they return from fifhing; but this is peculiar to thefe
iflands *. Undoubtedly, there are many poor livings in the ifland,
whereof the revenues are fo {mall, that they cannot fupport their
refpective minifters, fome of whom are obliged to have recourfe
to manual labour for maintaining their families, or to go a fifhing
like the common people. However, their congregations are far
from being negleéted, and they herein follow the example of the
apoftle Paul, who, though he earned his bread by the labour of
his hands, was a great and edifying preacher.

‘SS OR oe DB. hs

Concerning their churches.

OST of the churches have lands and revenues annexed
to them, as in ancient times, and fome of later date, a

fufficiency to fupport them. The churches are built in the fame

manner as their houfes, though fomething larger, the founda-

tions being laid even with the ground, or a little higher, and the
roof coyered with turf, and the infide wainfeotted +. Thefe
churches are built proportionable to the congregations; for the
houfes and farms, as before related, being fcattered about, there
are fometimes only feven, eight or ten farms toa parifh, though
fome contain from ten to thirty: add to which, that as all per-
fons cannot appear together at church, the congregation muft of
confequence be in fome churches very fmall. The building of
their houfes and churches low, is chiefly occafioned by the fcarcity
of timber and bricks, of which laft, though there is a fufficiency
of materials to make them, yet the procefs cannot be executed

* Mr. Anderfon fays, that fome of the clergy have part of the tithes the farmer
is obliged to pay, and fome two thirds thereof. In other parts they have two lots
out of each boat, which are equal to two fifhermens portion. |

+ The fame Author fays, the churches arelike the farmers huts, funk down in the
ground, the walls of broken ftones faftened with twigs, clay, mortar, &c. and covered |
with turf, and not larger than a common room, and fo low, that any one may touch
the ceiling.

for

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.

for want of fewel *. The cathedral church at Hoolum is built
of frame-work, ninety-eight foot long, thirty wide, and about
thirty-fix or forty high. It ftands a little higher than the ground,
has a wooden {pire, and round the choir is a fine ftone wall,
which was built upwards of four hundred years ago by a bifhop,
who intended to finifh the whole cathedral in that manner, but
died before it was completed. ‘he frame-work of the bifhop’s
palace at Hoolum is of oak, and walled between. The roof
is covered with boards, and no part, either top or fides, with
earth, or mould. The frame-work of this houfe was made at
Copenhagen, and put up and walled by bifhop Gudbrander, in
1576, as appears by the date of the year carved on the timber 5
fo that it now has ftood unmoved .almoft two hundred years,
though the foundation begins to want repair. The cathedral at
Skalholt, is much the fame as that at Hoolum, except that the
wall round the choir is fomething lefs. The fpire is alfo of wood,
and has a bell. This church, which was built time out of
mind, ftands on an eminence, and being viewed at a diftance,
makes a fine appearance. The church at the king’s palace of
Beffefted, alfo framed and walled, and the fides and top boarded
over, is about fifty foot long, twenty-five foot wide, and pretty
high. The manfion-houfe is built in the fame manner, and the
apartments are full nine foot high, and the walls boarded over,
except the fouth-weft fide, where I obferved, that though more
rain beats on that fide, than other parts, and though it had not
been repaired for a great while, yet the cementing or junctures
of the bricks were very clofe and tight. An old houfe two fto-
ries high, where the king’s fteward formerly lived, and where
he ftill has his compting-houfe on the upper floor, has ftood
fince the year 1680, though now very much decayed, and fit to
be pulled down. It withftood a very' great ftorm, one of the
winters I was there, and I was greatly furprized that it did not
then tumble down. Several other churches may be met with,
which are high, and wainfcotted both within and without, and

* Mr. Anderfon fays, they are under a neceffity of building low on account of the
heavy ftorms and winds that continually rage in this ifland. He alfo fays, that the Danes
attempted to build a church of the ufual height in Denmark, but that the following
winter, being blown down in a ftorm, they were obliged to build themfelves alow
onc in its ftead,

M m have

133

134

NATURAL HISTORY of LCELAND.

have been built for fome years.) A handfome building in the
Danifh ftile, the dwelling-place of a worthy and very confider-
able man, now ftands at Thingére cloyfter, in the parifh. of
Hunnevatn. In moft of the churches are altar-pieces, and fome
very handfome, imported from Copenhagen. The altar is gene-
rally placed as in Denmark and moft places at the eaft end of
the church, and under the altar are locked up the various
ornaments, utenfils and inftruments belonging to the church.
Every church has a font, which in many places is hand-
fornely railed in like the choir: there is alfoa pew for the
confeflion, in which the minifter fits till he mounts the pulpit.
This pulpit ufually fo placed, that it may be feen all over the
church, is conftruéted and contrived after the manner of moft
country places in Denmark, and in fome parts it is hand-
fomely painted and carved: Moft churches have pews, at
leaft on the women’s fide, and fome have a metal fconce, or
a fhip, or fome other ornament hanging up. In fhort, all the
churches are exadly as I have here defcribed them, and fuch is
their appearance within at all times, whether in the time of di-

“vine fervice or not. As to the ornaments, veflels and utenfils,.

which are only ufed during divine fervice, they are as neat and
as handfome as in the country churches in Denmark. The veft-
ments ufed by the minifter in fome churches, are made of velvet,
or of rich filk, and ornamented with a crofs of gold or filver.
Some have two fuits of veftments, a common, and a very ele-
gant one for feftivals. Moft churches are in pofleflion of a cup
or chalice of filver, and in fome they are gilt ; but fuch congre-
gations as are very poor, are obliged to content themfelves with
chalices of pewter. The furplices and altar cloths are of fine linen,
laced or worked round, and fome churches have filk altar cloths,
laced with gold and filver. A pair of large metal candlefticks ge-
nerally ftand on all the altars, and a handfome piece of painting.
is placed over the altar, and frequently fome paintings grace the
choir. In the cathedral are feveral curious pieces of antiquity,
and a great many veflels and ornaments preferved fince the ca-
tholic times. The churches moft commonly belong to fome pri-
vate perfons, and make part of their eftates, and as they g øene-
rally refide near them, they fometimes lay up fome of ee

chefts

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.

chefts and goods in the church, or in the loft over the place of
worfhip, for greater fecurity ; but they never put any thing in
_ to crowd or fill up the church "; Thefe chefts and fuch things,
may alfo ferve the people to fit on, wherever benches are wanting.

C HA PP. . cv.
Concerning the clergy.

“HOU GH feveral clergymen of this country have taken

_ their degrees at the univerfity of Copenhagen, and have
gone through their examinations with honour and great enco-
miums on their merit, Twill not alledge them asa proof or ar-
gument, that there are good and learned divines in Iceland, be-
ing willing to reftrain the matter to thofe only who were never out
of the country, and who received their entire education at the
king’s {chools. Among thefe, is thatlearned and eminent divine the
prefent bifhop of Skalholt, whom his Majefty thought worthy of that
high employment in the church, though he did not ftudy at Co-
penhagen. Befides being profoundly verfed in theology, he has
gone through all the latin poets and authors, at which I was
greatly furprized ; but it is not to be fuppofed, that all of them
are fo-learned ; for the old latin proverb, ex guoliber ligno non fit
mercurius, may hold good among them, as it alfo does among Us,
and all other nations +. The generality of the clergy under-
ftand latin and theology very well, and I myfelf have feen fome
exercifes very ingenioufly executed by thofe defigned for clergy-
men. Iam told, they are obliged to this duty every year, be-
fore the vicar and two other minifters, or the bifhop, if they
live not at too great a diftance. It is fome theological theme
which they are to make a differtation upon in latin, and which
generally they perform admirably well, ‘This ferves to thew how

+ Mr. Anderfon fays, that thofe who havethe care of churches, are allowed for
their trouble to fill them with all forts of lumber, upon which the people fit during
divine fervice, there being no pews, nor any thing to fhew the appearance of a
church.

+ Thefame Author fays, that the clergy in general are of little worth; that the
greater part of them have learnt nothing ; that they feldom have been any farther than
the bifhop’s fchools ; that they can hardly read latin, and that befides, they are fad de-
bauched wretches, addicted to the drinking of brandy, and getting drunk. without
any fhame or regard to their profeffion,

the

136

136

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.

the clergy muft be qualified, fuch being even required of the young
ecclefiaftics, who muft thereby be thought to have made no:
flender progrefs at the fchools in Iceland. The clergy’s conduct
is very narrowly infpected into, as well as that of the people
in general, in regard to religious matters, and the leaft fault
is not fuffered to go unpunifhed. If a minifter on a funday or
holyday, fets out only on a {mall journey, he is immediately
{ummoned to appear before a court held on purpofe to examine
into fuch matters. I only mention this, that a judgment may
be formed of the confequences of any greater mifdemeanour, for
which they are either prefently fufpended, or feverely reprimand-
ed. For the crime of drunkennefs, or any other indecency,
they lofe their livings, and have their gowns ftript off *.

CHAP. CVI.

Concerning the education of their children.

HERE are no fchools for young children, neither can

any well be, the houfes, as I before obferved, being fcat-

tered at fuch a diftance from one another, that it is impoffible to
bring them together in.one fchool +. The parents, and fuch of.
the family as are qualified, inftrué& the young children in read-
ing the articles of their religion: the minifters alfo in vifiting
their parifhioners, frequently examine and prepare them with due
care, againft the time they are to be prefented to the bifhop for
confirmation. They are kept always at home while they are
young, and fee no other examples than their parents fet them,
which are not vicious. Their difpofitions are mild and tender,
and though not generally fo brifk, yet they fhew a decent kind
of vivacity, efpecially thofe that are fent to Copenhagen. The
fame regulations and orders that obtain in Denmark for the in-

* Mr. Anderfon fays, that the clergyman often gets into the pulpit fo drunk, that
not able to ftand, he is obliged to go down again, and have his place fupplied by the
clerk, who reads a fermon to the congregation. It often happens, he adds, that the
parfon, clerk and congregation, being in the fame condition, they all leave the church
without hearing or performing any worthip at all; for fuch bad examples mutt be.at-
tended with as bad confequences.

+ The fame Author fays, the youth are kept but a fhort time at fchool ; for the
parents rather choofe to keep them at home, to be employed in houfhold bufinefs and
other work, where to their great misfortune, they are feduced to all wickednefs, by
the wild and profligate examples they have before their eyes,

ftruding

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.

ftructing children in religion, and giving them the means of fal-
vation, by confirming them, and bringing them to the facrament,
are alfo adopted in Iceland. The excellent catechifm of that

eminent divine, bifhop Pontoppidan, is tranflated into the Iceland

language, and is ufed both in churches and private houfes.
The minifters inftru@ and examine the children, and none are
admitted to the facrament of the Lord’s-fupper, till they
thoroughly underftand what they are going to do; confequent-
ly, none are admitted very young, and not till their underftand-
ings ripen with their age, as it happens to young people in other
countries. I before obferved, that as they are not put very
young to labour, many of them mutt be {trong enough and able
to go a fifhing fome years before their underftanding has been
ripe enough to fit them for the Lord’s-table: from whence it
may be concluded, that they are not fuffered to go very young,
and that great care is taken to have them duly prepared *.

el AL P.C VAL

Concerning the vices of the Icelanders,

HESE people have been reprefented by fome travellers as
profligate, debauched, and wicked, and in no refpe&

better than favages +. In the courfe of this treatife, I have
| given

£ Mr. Anderfon fays, that on account of the danger they are expofed to at fea,
they take their children to the facrament of the Lord's-fupper at eight or nine years

of age, whence how well they are inftructed and prepared, may be eafily imagined.
+ The fame Author fays, that this people know very little of God, or his will ;
that they are addicted to fuperftitious practices ; that for the value of two marks, or
fixteen pence, they will perjure themfelves even to the prejudice of their neareft rela-
tions, and that they are quarrelfome, full of wrath and revenge, extremely lafcivious
and vicious, and errant thieves and cheats. What then, fays he, can be expected
from a people that have no inward awe or check, and live in an unbridled licentioufnefs,
without any reftraint afhore and at fea, frequent opportunities unobferved, and confe-
quently unpunifhable, and continually indulging themfelves in the filthy fin of drunken-
nefs? I fhall not affign, adds he, any political reafon why the magiftrates wink at
thefe enormities,; and as it is not my bufinefs to criticife thereon, fhall now only men-
tion what happened not many years ago, when this people was vifited by a fatal and
infectious {mall-pox, which almoft depopulated the ifland. In order to recruit again,
(for the people of the reft of his Danifh Majefty’s dominions, had no great inclina-
tion to go there) all the young women were fuffered to have fix baftards, without
any dilfparagement to their character as maidens; but as thefe good natured crea-
tures were too lavifh of their favours, the government was obliged to lay a reftraint
upon their fury, and if I may believe it, laid a punifhment upon the crime of the
n fame

ØR

138

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND,

given a very faithful and particular account of every thing rela-
ting to them, as I really found the matter, and I hope that I
have convinced the world, that they are not guilty of the vices
they indifcriminately ftand charged with. The many that go
from hence to Denmark, to learn trades, or enter into fervice,
proves them to be a people foberly inclined, and of virtuous and
good principles, their condué being generally fuch, as gains
them both love and efteem. They are brought up in the chri-
{tian religion, which is early implanted in them: they have a
con{cience as well as the reft of mankind, and are not without
feeling fome inward reluétancy to vice: they have alfo magi-
{trates, and a civil power, under whofe awe they ftand, to re-
{train and curb them, and they cannot commit an unlawful ad
with impunity.

CHAP. CVI.

Gi oncerning their nuptial ceremonies.

ARRIAGES here, as in other countries, are not al-
MI ways agreeable to the inclinations of the parties, but are
often contradted for the fake of intereft ; fo that it is not ftrange
if a father or neareft relation, for very trifling reafons, refufes
confent to a match ; confent being here required with as much
formality as in other countries. It is cuftomary for the minifter
to go and afk the bride in marriage of her parents, or thofe
that ftand in their ftead ; after which, not many ceremonies are
ufed at the weddings, neither have they many guefts, their.
houfes being but fmall*. The bride and bridegroom are attend-
ed to church by their neareft relations, and there joined in holy

fame nature with it, which I do not choofe to explain. Our author fays, this difeafe
raged in 1707, and as out of many thoufands ftill living, none could give him an ac-
count of any fuch thing, he hopes that no body will be fo uncharitable as to believe
it ever was fo.

* Mr. Anderfon fays, they marry according to their inclinations and circum-
ftances, with very few ceremonies, and are attended tothe church by their neareft rela-
tions on both fides, where they are joined by the parfon. Afterwards the bride,
bridegroom and parfon, placing themfelves againft one of the walls, with the rela-
tions on each fide of them, a cup of brandy is given to the bride, who drinks to her next
neighbour, and by way of fetting a good example, drinks it all up: the bridegroom
on his fide does the fame, and thus the cups of brandy go round, till they can neither
hold them, nor ftand on their legs.

wedlock

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.

wedlock by the minifter, which is generally performed on a fun-
day before the minifter goes into the pulpit. When the fermon
and fervice are over, they repair to the houfe. where the bride
came from, and have an entertainment according to their cir-
cumftances, and drink and rejoice with moderation and decency.
As it is ufual with them on fuch occafions to regale themfelves
with a little brandy, it accordingly goes round; but they have
neither mufic nor dancing, and when the feaft is over, all retire
to their re{pective habitations.

oC ALA Pis hele:
Whether the Icelanders are fond of the game of chefs.

H T cannot be alledged as matter of fad, that the Icelanders

are lovers of gaming. It is true, they divert themfelves a
little at chefs, as alfo at cards, but in a more particular man-
ner at the former, in which they are very expert, though not
fuch great mafters of it, as in all probability their forefathers
were”, Their chief leifure time they have is in the fifhing fea-
fons, when the weather is fo bad that they cannot venture out to
fea, and then it is that a great many being muftered together
from the north and eaft, make parties to divert themfelves, and
pafs away the time +. In the winter long evenings, they have
employment enough in their families.

GLA Ross

Concerning their manner of dancing.

J NHEY have no idea of dancing, though fometimes the
merchants at the factories for their diverfion will get a
fiddle and make them dance, in which they fucceed no better

than by hopping and jumping about ¢. When they have been

* Mr. Anderfon fays, that they apply themfelves very much to the game of chefs,
and are as well as their anceftors, very eminent in, and great matters of it.

+ The fame Author fays, they havea deal of leifure time upon their hands, when
the fifhing feafon is over, and during the long nights; and as they do not choofe to
do more work than they cannot help, they ufually go to chefs.

{ He alfo fays, that they are very fond of dancing, which they perform with many
antics, the men and women ftanding facing cach other, and fo jigging it from one
foot to the other,

treated

igo

140

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.

treated and made merry, they generally fall a finging, and have
great variety of heroic fongs, which as having no {kill in mufical
modulations, they roar out in a very harfh and uncouth manner.

i El Ae Roe

Concerning their civil government.

HE Icelanders have a ftifftfamptmand or governor, and
an amptmand or deputy-governor. ‘The former is gene-
rally chofen out of the nobility, as Guldenlove, Guldencrone,
and the prefent count Rantzou, who is alfo one of the lords of:
the bed-chamber to his majefty *. Such generally refide in Co-
penhagen, but the amptmand or deputyfgovernor, always refides
in Iceland, at the king’s palace of Beflefted, and is fometimes a
nobleman. His falary is four hundred rixdollars in crowns per
annum. Belides the deputy-governor, the king has a receiver or
land-iteward, who colleéts throughout the ifland all taxes and
revenues, and fends in his accounts to the king’s exchequer.
This receiver or fteward, had hitherto always lived at Beflefted,
with the deputy-governor, but has now the liberty to refide at
the abbey of Widoe. ‘The king allowed him a falary of three
hundred and fifty rixdollars per aun. in crowns, but lately made
an addition thereto of a hundred.

CH AD. Seas.
Concerning the reft of his majefty’s fervants or officers in the ifland.

ESIDES the above officers, there are perfons called fyfiel-
B men over certain diftriéts, who farm the king’s taxes, and
account with his land-fteward for what they have agreed. By
this means they acquire a handfome livelihood +. The land-
{teward is always fyffelman or tax-gatherer himfelf in the diftrid

* Mr. Anderfon fays, that the amptmand or deputy-governor, is not of the nobi-
lity, but generally one who has been a fecretary, or a well deferving domeftic tofome ~
minifter of ftate at court, who has obtained from the king this confiderable employ-
ment for him, asa reward for his faithful fervices.

+ The fame Author fays, that the deputy-governor has a falary of four hundred rix-
dollars fpecie, befides perquifites or fees, which amount to as much again, and that
he is the fupreme judge in civil and criminal affairs. The receiver or land-fteward
has, he fays, two hundred rixdollars per enn. falary. i

of

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.
of Guldbringe, where he refides, and as he has a ftanding falary

as land-fteward, he muft account with the rent-chamber or ex-
chequer, for the taxes and other dues in this diftri@. The reft
of the king’s revenues arife from the company, who pay an an-
nual fum to the king in the rent-chamber or exchequer of this
ifland. The revenues of the fecularifed abbey-lands, and other
lands belonging to the king which are farmed out, are paid to
the fteward *. The amount of thefe accounts is not eafily afcer-
tained, as not being every year alike. As to judges, there are
two, called laugmend ; the one has the fouth and eaft depart-
ment, the other the north and weft, and fometimes one or two
deputies are allowed them. The ifland contains eighteen di-
ftrids or fyfieler, and each has a fyffelman or tax-gatherer, but
Mule and Skaftefield to the eaft have two each: there is alfo one
in the Weftman-iflands, fo that the whole number throughout
the country amounts to twenty-one. One of the tax-gatherers or
fyffelmen in Mule diftri@, who fuperintends the fouth and
middle divifion, has fifteen courts to attend at certain times of
the year, and in the beginning of the year, when the court is
held at Mandtal, has a journey of three hundred Englifh
miles to make. This I only mention to fhew, what a confider-
able diftri@ fome have under them. Thefe fyffelmen aé as ju-
{tices of the peace, each in his diftri@, and are like a kind of
deputy-ftewards, or what they call Herredsfogder in Denmark +.
As they have a genteel income, and are generally people of pro-
perty, they are very much refpected in the ifland.

* Mr. Anderfon fays, that the harbours are farmed out to the company for twenty
thoufand fpecie dollars; that the feveral eftates of the king bring in eight thoufand
dollars more; that in fome diftriéts he has one third of the tithes of the fifth, and that
each fubjeét who is worth more than twenty dollars, muft give him forty fifha year ;
our author has before obferved, that there is no tithe of fifh paid here to the clergy.

+ The fame author fays, there are three laugmaend, in Danifh, Lands-dommere, that
is, judges, who have each a particular diftrict, and twenty-four fyffelmen or taxga-
therers, each alfo having a village or fmall diftrict under him, like the herredsfogder
in Denmark,

Oo Oi AP,

141

z4.2

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND:

C Ay) A- oP. GX

Ci oncerning their laws.

LL _ fuits in law concerning inheritance and property,

and every thing relating to szewm and tuum, are de-

cided by the old Iceland law; but with regard to freehold
property, the Norwegian law takes place. The old ecclefiaftical
law is entirely abolifhed, and is only referred to in cafe of
tithes, all other fpiritual matters being decided by the fecond
book of the Norwegian law, or by royal edifts. In the year 1564,
the two laugmend or judges then living, in conjunction with
twenty-four other men elected for that purpofe, made a law re-
lating to pawns and forfeitures, which was confirmed and put in
force the year following, by order of king Frederic the fecond,
and dated from Lund the 13th of April 1565 *. Purfuant to
the tenour of that law, all forfeits and pawns are to this day ad-
judged, and brought to a final determination : it is very concife,
the whole being comprifed in two pages. Crimes and mifde-
meanours are canvaffed according to the firft and fixth book of
the Norwegian laws of king Chriftian V. befides which, feveral
royal ediéts and orders muft be confulted. His late majefty king
Frederic IV. having ordered fome of the moft able lawyers to
compofe a new book of laws for Iceland, it was accordingly exe-
cuted, and now only waits for his prefent majefty’s approbation

and royal authority. There is more work for lawyers’ here,

than one would imagine, efpecially in (Odels-fager) or cafes rela-
tive to freehold and trefpafles, the inhabitants fuing each other
at law upon the leaft encroachment on their refpective grounds,
or with regard to things, in which they prefume their property
is invalidated. So obftinate are they, though they have grounds
of fome Danifh miles extent lying between them, that one will

* Mr. Anderfon fays, that all civil matters relating chiefly to inheritance, or he-
reditary right, are decided by the ancient Iceland law-book, which was made by king
Magnus, furnamed Lagabeetter, or rectifier of the laws. Spiritual affairs are judged
by the chriftnaret, or jus ecclefiafticum, and the great book of judgment eftablifhed by
king Frederic the fecond; and mifdemeanors, by a book of laws made by king Chri-
ftian the fifth. His late majefty king Frederic the fourth, had ordered fome learned
perfons in the law, to prepare a new code for Iceland, which now has lain fome years
in Denmark for his majefty’s approbation,

- not

NATURAL HISTORY of ICELAND.

not permit the-other to enjoy the leaft {pot without his making
fome return for iit, though in the main, of no ufe to himfelf*.
Sometimes fuits of ome: importance happen; but I have feen
actions brought again{t people, and carried into the' upper courts,
though the whole conteft regarded perhaps not the value of a
dollar, and this by the petverfe felfifhnefs of the richer fort. Their
manner of . proceeding at law is as. follows. In the firft place,
after the action 1s brought, they are to appear at a court within
the diftrigt where :the offence has happened, The fyffelman of
the diftrict :prefides'in this court as.juftice, and paffes fentence.
From hence'they-appeal tothe langret, ‘which is held at Oxeraae,
and begins every year the eighth of July, and lafts as long as
there is any bufinefs to do. Each laugmend or judge, decrees
alone in his own department, and -has eight laugrettemend or
affeffors on the bench with him. From this court an appeal may
be lodged at the higheft in the ind, which is held at the fame
time, and | in which-the amptmand or deputy- governor prefides,
who. has, for afleflors. the. judge,) whofe fentence or decree has not
been given-in ‘this.-cdufe before; and as many fyflelmen, or in
default of them, laugrettemand, as tnake twelve exclufive of
the deputy-gevernér, who is prefident, or in his abfence, the
king's lahd-ftewatd.\, This court'in tefpe& to the forms, is like
the (ober hoff-ret) -or the higheft court in Norway, wherein an
inferior judge for prevaricating, or declining to do juftice may be
indiéed. From this court there is an appeal to the fuperior
court at Copenhagett, provided the caufe is of fuch confequence
as is fet forth in the Norwegian law. In fpiritual cafes, the dean
has a court, which confifts of himfelf and two affeffors, and
from it an appeal may be lodged in the confiftorial court, which
is held alfo at Oxeraae, for the diocefe of Skalholt, the fame
time the other court is fitting. The amptmand or deputy-gover-
nor prefides here, and the bifhops, deans and clergy, are aflef-
fors. ‘This fame court for the diocefe of Hoolum, is held after
Michaelmas, at a place called Flyge Myre, about three Danifh
miles from Hoolum, and to it the governor generally deputes

* Mr. Anderfon fays, that in all probability there cannot be many law-fuits in
Iceland between the inhabitants, though in former times, difputes frequently arofe
between therbithopsyand the king’s ftewards, which were feldom decided but by an

appeal to thé King.
fome

143

144

NATURAL HISTORY of ICEL AN D.

fome perfon in his room. From this court there is alfo an ap-
peal to the fuperior court at Copenhagen. No prodors are ap-
pointed in Iceland, though in each caufe the deputy-governor
may conftitute fuch as he thinks proper.

C H APS GEN

Concerning executions, or punifbments by death.

O other ways are ufed to punifh by death than beheading

with an ax, or hanging. The women are thruft into a

fack and drowned. ‘The fyffelman does not perform this office,
but keeps at his own expence a perfon for this purpofe *.

CH AL Pe HOV: '
Conclufton.

Y living in Iceland upwards of two years, I had an oppor-
tunity of feeing a great part of the country, and detecting
the groundlefs affertions, and falfe afperfions of fuch travellers
as endeavoured to depreciate this ifland. I have faid nothing
but what may be deemed a genuine picture of it, reprefented in
true and faithful colours, chiefly for the inftru@tion and amufe-
ment of thofe who may be defirous to conceive a juft idea of
Iceland.

* Mr. Anderfon fays, that the inferior judge or fyffelman, executes the law both
in criminal and civil cafes, which our Author denies, and fays, they keep execu-
tioners on purpofe. He adds, that when a malefactor is hanged, they keep him in
agony a good while before he can give up the ghoft,

ME TEORO-

METEOROLOGICAL
OBSERVATIONS

MADE AT

BESSESTED in ICELAND,

From Auguft 1, 1749, to July 31, 4751.

METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS.

1740. The weather.
Auguft 1. Clear and fine weather.
Saturday 2 Clear and cloudy by turns with fome wind.
Sunday 3 Clear and fine weather, with very little wind.
Monday 4 Forenoon clear weather, towards noon a little

rain,

Tuefday 5 Cloudy by intervals, and the wind fomewhat high.
Wednelday 6 Cloudy with a little wind.
Thurfday 7 Calm and fine weather.
Friday 8 - Clear and calm weather.

Saturday 9
Sunday 10
Monday 11
Tuelday 12
Wednelday 13
Thurfday 14

Friday 15
| Saturday 16
Sunday 17
Monday 18
Tuefday 19

Wednefday 20
Thurfday 21

Friday 22
Saturday 23
Sunday 24
Monday 25

Tuefday 26
Wednefday 27
Thurfday 28

Friday 29
Saturday 30
Sunday 31
September 1

Tuefday 2

Calm weather, but fomewhat cloudy. .

Clear and,calm weather.

Fine weather with a little wind.

Clear weather and windy.

Calm weather and cloudy.

Clear and calm weather.

Cloudy with fome wind, but towards evening
the wind very high.

Cloudy, with very little wind.

Clear weather and a little wind.

Cloudy and fomewhat windy.

Clear weather and pretty windy.

Heavy cloudy weather, with a very high wind.

Stormy weather, which continued during the
whole night.

Rainy weather, with a little wind.

Calm and ftill. _

Clear weather, with a high wind.

Rainy weather, and fomewhat windy.

The fame, but the wind not fo high.

Rainy, but calm.

Calm with clouds in the morning and forenoon,
but the wind high in the afternoon.

Clear and calm weather.

Calm, but dark weather.

Rainy, with bluftring winds.

The wind very high, and fometimes accompa-
nied by rain. '

Clear for the greater part of the day, and pretty
windy.

1749.

METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS.

Wind. Barom. Ther.
Auguft 1. N. W. 27 11- |11- |fupra degel.
Saturday 2 joe. £8 ro EE?
Sunday wii. i. 28 o |12-
Monday 4.8. E. 12cl. |27 g- |13
| N.
Tuefday 5. N. > ORD
Wednefday 6. S. by E. 27 Q- |I2
Thurfday 7. N. E. 27-10 |I2-
Friday 8. N. 27 ig? |13
Saturday - 9. N. 27 Qgvi|i2
Sunday to. N. a3 ELIAS
Monday 1. N. 28 I- |12
Tuefday 12.N. 27 10. /|£2
Wednelday 13. W.S. W. |27 100 |I11
Thurfday 14. N. 27 1I- KER
Friday EIN, 27 Q {II
N. by E. [27 7

Saturday 16.N. by E. J27 7o jax
Sunday iy obs & 27: 7-. |10-
Monday 18. N. to E 27 6- {iI-
Tuefday 19.N.E. 27 4- {II-
Wednefday 20. N.E 235400 bag
Thurfday -21.N. E. aq 8 Tr
Friday 22. N. W. 27 10 8-
Saturday .23.E.toN. |27 7 9-
Sunday 24. N. E. 27 8v]| 8
Monday 25.5. 28 10 |I1Io0-
Tuefday 26. S. W. 27 100 |IO-
Wednefday 27.8 27 7- |II-
Thurlday 28.N. 27 § - DER
Friday 29.N. N.E. 27 7 Jax (North light.
Saturday 30. S. 27 100 |10
Sunday 93.5. 27 9 j10-
September 1.8. 27 8 9-
Tuefday 21% 27 II- | 9-

Wednef,

147

14 8

METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS.

1749.

The weather.

September 3

Thurfday
Friday

4
5
Saturday 6
Sunday g
Monday 8
Tuefday 9
Wednefday 10
Thurfday 11

Friday 12
Saturday 13
Sunday 14
Monday 15
Tuefday 16

Wednelday 17
Thurfday 18

Friday 19
Saturday 20
Sunday 21
Monday 22

Tuefday 23
Wednefday 24
Thurfday 25

Friday 26
Saturday 27
Sunday 28

Monday 29

Tuefday 30

October I
Thurfday | 2
Friday 3
Saturday 4

The wind very high, with fome fhowers of rain,
towards the evening a great ftorm, which
continued very violent all night, —

Very ftormy with rain.

Clear and cloudy by intervals, with a little wind,
but towards evening the wind very high.

The weather like that of the preceding day.

Calm weather, but for the better part cloudy.

Rainy and calm.

Very windy and cloudy, a pretty fharp froft in
the night.

Clear weather, froft and the wind fomewhat hice

Clear and calm weather.

Rainy and calm weather.

Clear weather, and windy.

Clear and calm.

Dark weather, and a little windy.

Calm and mild weather.

Clear calm weather with fome froft.

Stormy weather with fome rain.

Rainy. and windy.

Dark weather with a little wind.

Clear, and by intervals windy.

Cloudy, with a little wind.

Clear, and the greater part of the day calm.

Rainy, but calm weather.

The wind very high, with fome fhowers of rain.

Cloudy, and pretty windy.

Clear, and for the greater part calm.

Clear and calm till noon, but in the afternoon
windy.

Rainy with fome wind, the afternoon a pretty
great ftorm.

Very windy and cloudy.

For the better part clear but fomewhat windy.

The wind very high, with fome fhowers of rain.

Rainy and windy.

Clear the greater part of the day, and fome-
what windy.

1749.

METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS,

Wind. Barom. Ther,
September 3.58, 28 10 |IO-
Thurfday 4. S. 27 8 I|10-
Friday 5. S. 27 II- | 9-
Saturday 6. S. to W. 27 10 9
Sunday 7.8. to E. 28 I- | gv
Monday 8.E. 27 7 |ro_ {Strong north light.
Tuelday 9.N.E. 27 10 8 o
Wednefday 10. N. 28 32 4
Thurfday 11. E.N. E. 28. 2 4-
Friday 12. E. 27 100] 6
Saturday 13. N.E. 27. gw] 7 {Strong north light.
Sunday ~ 14. S. 27 6- | §
Monday 15. E. 27; n56=> 1:9
Tuefday 16.8. 27. g- | 7-
Wednefday 17. S. W. 27 11- | 6
Thurfday 18.8. S. E. 27m Lani
Friday 19.58. E. Ag tv2 7
Saturday 20. S. 26:3 8
Sunday 21.N.E. 27 6 9
Monday 22.5. E. 27 10 8
Tuefday 23. S.E, låse 8-
Wednef. 24. S. BF). °7 8-
Thurfday 25. S. E. ay ae V7
Friday 26, N. E. VIS 8 v
Saturday 27. E. a7... 97-8
Sunday 28.N. E. 28 o- | 7-
Monday 29.8. 5S. E. 28 2 60

S. W. 27. 17
Tuefday 30. W. 27 60/7
Otober 1.N.E. 27 6%] 5. |North light.
Thurfday 2. S. E. 27 7015
Friday 3. W.8.W. |27 9 8 |North light.
Saturday 4. S. W. 45302 6-
October

149

159

METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS,

The weather.

1749.

Oétober 5 Some rain with brifk gales of wind.

Monday 6 Gloomy weather with a very high wind.

Tuefday 7 Rainy with a very high wind.

Wednefday 8 Rainy and very windy.

Thurfday 9 Rainy and windy.

Friday 10 Clear and calm during almoft the whole day.

Saturday 11 Dark weather, pretty windy, and towards noon
a great ftorm.

Sunday 12 Changeable weather with rain and hail, clear,
windy and ftormy.

Monday 13 Dark weather, and pretty windy.

Tuefday 14 Fine calm weather, but in the nigh? froft and

Wednefday 15

Thurfday 16
Friday 17
Saturday 18

Sunday 19

Monday 20
Tuelday 21
Wednelday 22
Thurfday 23

Friday 24.
Saturday 25
Sunday 26

Monday 27
Tuelday 28
Wednelday 29
Thurfday 30
Friday gg
November 1

Sunday 2
Monday 3
Tuefday 4

Tnow. —

Clear and calm weather during the better part
of the day.

Clear and calm with fome fof

Clear and calm with a flight froft.

Gloomy weather, but no froft ; in the afternoon
and evening a great ftorm.

Cloudy and pretty windy; a violent ftorm in
the afternoon and night.

Rainy with a very high wind.

Rainy and windy.

The fame.

Dark weather and pretty windy.

For the greater part clear, with a little wind,

Dark, but calm weather. <

Rainy and pretty windy.

The fame.

The fame.

The fame ; fome froft in the night.

Thick {now and pretty windy.

The fame, with high winds.

Thick, hazy, cloudy, but calm; at 11 o'clock
P. M. rain and fnow, with a high wind.

Rainy and pretty windy.

Clear and calm with fome froft.

Clear frofty weather, with fome wind.

om

METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS,

6- |North light.

8 |North light,

4 |Strong north light,

4
4. | North light.
5

Strong north light.

Wind. ~Barom. Ther.
October 5.5. 28
Monday PRETE. 28
Tuefday 7.8. to E. 28
Wednelday 8. S. 27
Thurfday 9.S.W. [28
Friday 10. N. W. 27
Saturday 11.5. E. 28
27

Sy |
Sunday Ry) 27
Monday 13.8. 27
Tuelday 14. W. 27
Wednefday 15.8. | 27
Thurfday 16.N.
Friday Se;
Saturday 18.E
Sunday 19. S.
Monday 20.5
Tuefday 21.5.
Wednefday 22. S. E. 28
Thurfday 23. W. Sy
Friday 24. W, 28
Saturday 25.5%.
Sunday 26. E. S. E. 28
Monday 27.8. W 27
Tuefday. 28. W.
Wednefday 29.-S. E. 28
Thurfday 30. S. W. 27
Friday 31. W.N. W.
November 1. E.

S.
Sunday 2. S,
Monday 3. E.
Tuefday 4.N. E.

I oes light.

November

151

t52

METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS.

1749.

The weather.

November

5
Thurfday 6

Friday 7
Saturday 8
Sunday 9
Monday 10

Tuefday 11

Wednefday 12.

Thurfday 13

Friday rt
Saturday 15

Sunday 16
Monday 17
Tuefday’ 18
Wednefday 19
Thurfday 20

Friday 21
Saturday 22
Sunday 23
Monday 24

Tuefday 25
Wednefday 26
Thurfday 27

Friday 28
Saturday 29
Sunday 30
December 1

Tuefday
Wednelday
Thurfday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Monday. 1,
Tuefday

WO CNY ON Å Wb

Clear frofty weather, with fome wind. |

Clear, calm and frofty ; ; after the north fhe 3 a
| very high wind in the night.

Rainy, and a very high wind; at 11 0'clock,P. a

Dark and calm weather.

Rainy with a little wind.

Dark and calm weather.

The fame.

Snow, but calm.

Clear-and frofty,; fome wind in the afternoon,
with rain and ftorm.

Rain and hail, with a very high wind.

For the greater part clear and calm, with a little
froft. .

Thick hazy weather, and fomewhat windy.

Clear,and calm weather, with a little froft.

Pretty clear and calm weather.
Clear. frofty weather, and pretty windy.

Rainy and windy.

‘Cloudy and very windy.

Thick, but calm.

Thick heavy air, and fomewhat windy.

Rain, with a little wind.

The fame.

The fame, but lefs wind.

Thick, hazy and windy.

The fame, but fomewhat milder.

Calm, and clear during the better part of the day.
Hazy weather and pretty windy.

The fame, but in the evening a ftorm.

Dark weather, and pretty windy.

The fame, but the wind higher.

The fame, but lefs wind.

Thick and hazy, but for the greater part calm.
Cloudy but calm, with fome froft.

Clear, calm, and frofty weather.

Rain, with fome wind.

Cloudy, but calm.

METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS,

Wind. Barom. Ther.
November 5.N. E. II I o |infra degel.
Thurfday- 6.58. Es" 28 3011 North light.
Friday ir FRE DS 27 §8- | 2- jfupr. degel.
Saturday 8. S. é v | 3-
Sunday g. S. 2: 1 5
Monday -10.S. E. 6- | 3
Tuefday 11.8. 4- | 3- (North light.
Wednefday 12. W. 4- | 3. |North light.
Thurfday 13.5. E. 7 I-

aen
Friday 14. S. 2- (73. |North light.
Saturday 15. 5S. 4 2. |North light.
Sunday 16. N. E. 5- | 2. |North light.
Monday 17. E. S. E. 5 2-
Tuefday 18. E. 66 | 30 (North light.
Wednelday 19. N. E. 28 1 20
Thurfday 20.5. 27 11- | 6
Friday 21, W. 28 1 4-
Saturday 22.8. 7 4
Sunday 23. S. E. FENG 4
Monday 24. S. 2-"}| 5-
Tuelday 25.8. 2 5- i
Wednefday 26. S. E. 2 5
Thurfday 27.8. Ay ae | 5-
Friday 28. S. 28 oO 6
Saturday 29. W. 28 oO 6
Sunday 30. S. 28 -2 7
December 1.8. 28; 2027
276.78
Tuefday 2. S. W. 28. 1} 5
Wednelday 3.5. 8. E. 27 I 5-
Thurfday 4.8. 9 6-
Friday 5. W. 4 6 (North light.
Saturday 6, N. E. 27 9g 2- {North light.
Sunday 7, E.S. E. 28:15 r- |North light.
Monday 8. E. S. E. 2- 2 |North light.
Tuefday 9. E. S. E. I- 4-
Ry December

ae

154

METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS.

1749.

The weather. -

December 10

“Thurfday 11

Friday 12
Saturday 13
Sunday I4
Monday 15
Tuefday. 16

Wednefday 17
Thurfday 18

Friday 19
Saturday 20
Sunday 21
Monday 22

Tuefday 23

Wednefday 24
Thurfday 25

Friday 26
Saturday 27
Sunday 28
Monday 29

Tuefday 30
Wednelday 31
1750.
January
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Monday

a > WwW DN fi

Cloudy but calm.

For the moft part clear and calm with fome froft.
Foggy, but calm weather and a thaw.

Thick weather and pretty windy.

Clouds driving and wafted by fome wind.
Clear and calm with froft.

The fame, but fome fnow.

Cloudy, with fome wind and froft.

Hazy weather and very windy ; in the afternoon
and night a ftorm.

For the better part clear and pretty windy.

Clear weather, fomewhat ftormy by gufts, and
in the night a confiderable ftorm.

Cloudy and {tormy weather.

Clear and calm frofty weather, but about 2
o'clock, P. M. ftormy with hail and fnow.
Clear and calm weather, during almoft the whole

day. ‘The fame day I obferved an eclipfe of
the moon, which was total, and began al-
moft at 6 o'clock, P.M. and ended 20 mi-
nutes after 8. The fame time a beautiful
north light was feen with two bright bows in
the north, and with bright flaming rays at
W.N. W. andE.N. E.
Foggy weather and pretty windy.

" Clear weather and very windy,

Clear, calm and mild weather.

The fame.

The fame.

Thick weather and pretty windy.
Rain and very high winds.

Mild and calm weather with clouds.

Gloomy but calm weather ; in the night ftormy.
Very high winds and cloudy.

Stormy with rain and hail.

The fame.

Clouds driving, and pretty windy.

1750,

i hay

i ie

METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS.

Barom. ‘Ther.

Wind.
December 10. S.
Thurfday 41. N.E.&S.E.
Friday 12, SE. &'S:
Saturday 13.8. & S. W.
Sunday 14. W.
Monday 15-N.
Tuefday 16. W. N. W.
Wednefday. 17. E.
Thurfday 18. N.E.

. Friday 1g. N. E.
Saturday 20. N. E.
Sunday 21. N. E.
Monday 22.5. E.
Tuefday 23.8.

i

Wednefday 24. N.
Thurlday 25.N.
Friday 26. S.
Saturday 27. S.
Sunday 28. S.
Monday 2g. S. E.
Tuefday 30.58. E.
Wednefday 31. S. E.

: 1750.

January rE. S. &
Friday 2. S.
Saturday 3. S.
"Sunday 4. S.
Monday 5. S.

North light.

North light.

North light:
infra degel.
North light.

N orth light.

fupr. degel.
North light.
infra degel.

| North light.

North light.
fupr. degel.
North light.

fupr. degel.

January

155

556 METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS.

1750:

January . 6
Wednelday 7

Thurfday 8
Friday 9
Saturday 10
Sunday II
Monday 12
Tuefday . 13

Wednefday 14
Thurfday 15

Friday 16
Saturday 17
Sunday 18
Monday 19

Tuefday 20

Wednefday 21
Thurfday 22

Friday 23
Saturday 24
Sunday 2g
Monday 26

Tuefday 27
Wednelday 28

Thurfday 29
Friday 30
Saturday 31

February Xo

Monday 2
Tuefday 3
Wednelday 4
Thurlday — 5
Friday 6

The weather.

Cloudy but mild.

Clear and mild weather.

Cloudy but pretty windy.

Cloudy mild and calm; towards midnight a
ftorm, which ceafed by day-break.

Cloudy and a little windy.

Very high wind with rain about 1 o'clock, P.M.

By intervals cloudy and pretty windy. »

Clear weather with fome wind.

Some fnow, and a little wind.

Very windy between whiles, with hail and fnow. ‘

Pretty windy with fnow. »

Very high wind and rain.

Snowy and pretty windy.

Windy and a thick fog with fnow.

Clear and gentle weather, with a little fnow and
wind.

Calm weather, and by intervals {now.

Clear and calm.

The fame.

Cloudy and pretty windy ; no froft.

Dark weather, with very high winds.

Cloudy and pretty windy.

The fame. |

Clouds driving, with a high wind and {how in
the night.

Between whiles clear, with little wind.

Cloudy and pretty windy.

Rain and very high wind; in the evening and
night a {torm.

The fame, ceafed at noon,.and was fucceeded by
fnow.
A ftorm, which was allayed in the afternoon by
rain.

Hazy, with fnow and wind.

The fame.

High winds, with fnow hail and rain. .

Clear and calm weather with a gentle froft.

1759.

METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS.

Wind. Barom. ‘Ther.
January 6. 5. 2- | 3- |North light.
Wednefday 7.5. 8. E. o 3. |Strong north light.
Thurfday 8.5. E. 29x GQ Gil. 3 |
Friday g. S. E. 60] 3
ol 3
Saturday 10.8.5. E. 2 4. |Strong north light.
Sunday rreS. E. 26 7- | 3-
S. 4- North light.
Monday 12.8. gull 3
Tuefday 13.8. 27. 0 o- {North light,
Wednelday 14. S. 4 Oo
Thurfday 15. S. W. ad Ace
Friday 16. N. W. 26 I0- | Oo
Saturday 17.5. E, agt gape dt @
Sunday 18. S. W. 6 2
Monday ig. S. W. 5: | O
Tuefday 20.58. W. I~ | 0
Wednefday 21. S. W. 3 o
Thurfday 22. N. 6 r infra degel.
Friday 23. E: II 5 & |North light. .
Saturday 24.5. E. 28 Owof I {in open air.
Sunday as. S. 27 6- | 4 |fupr. degel.
Monday 26.58.S. W. 5 6
Tuefday 27. S. W. I 4.
Wednefday 28. W.S.W. |27 3 3 |fupr. degel.
‘North light.
Thurfday 29. W.S. W. 5- 2 |
Friday 30. W. II 20 |
Saturday 31.8. 9 6% |
|
February ‘1. S. 40 | 5- North light.
Monday 2. S. fo) 2 |
|
Tuecfday 3.S.E I t North light.
Wednelday 4.8. E 3 2 North light.
Thurfday 5.S.E 126 10 Z|
Friday 6. S. (27 2- | 2% North light,

Ss February

157

158

METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS.

1750.

February — 7
Sunday 8
Monday 9
Tuefday 10
Wednelday 11

Thurfday 12

Friday 13
Saturday 14
Sunday 15
Monday 16

Tuefday 17
Wednefday 18
Thurfday 19

Friday 20
Saturday 21
Sunday 22
Monday 23
Tuefday 24

Wednefday 25
Thurfday 26

Friday 27
Saturday 28
March I

Monday
Tuefday 3

NY

Wednelday 4

Thurfday 5

The weather.

.
ety

Cloudy, with a little wind and froft.

Clear and calm with fome froft.

Cloudy and windy.

Rain with fome wind.

Clear and calm during the greater part of the
day.

Cloudy with fome wind; the afternoon clear
and calm.

Clear and calm, with fome froft.

For the moft part clear and calm.

Clear and calm with fome froft; but in the
evening high winds, which blew into a ftorm
during the night.

Clear weather, but very windy.

Clear, with a little wind.

Clear and pretty windy.

Clear and calm.

The fame.

The fame ; but in the night a little fnow.

Clear, with a little wind.

The fame ; but in the night fnow.

Cloudy, witha little wind.

Hazy and windy weather with a little froft.

Clear and calm, with a little froft and high winds
in the night. Å

Rain and ftorm till 11 o'clock A. M. afterwards
fome rain and wind, in the night fome fnow.

Snow, with a little wind; but in the afternoon
clear and calm weather.

Clear and calm with froft; and in the evening
fome ftorms of rain and fleet.

Windy, with ftorms of fleet and rain.

For the moft part clear and fomewhat windy;
but in the night fnow.

Cloudy with alittle wind ; in the evening and
night very high winds with fnow, and. a
froft. |

Clouds driving, pretty windy, and a little fnow.

1750.

METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS.

Wind.

February 7.8. W.
Sunday 8. W.
Monday GENE.
Tuefday 10: EN. E
Wednefday 171. E.
Thurfday 12.8. W.
Friday 13. E. S. E.
Saturday 14. E. S.E.
Sunday rs. E.

N.E.
Monday 16.N.
Tuefday 17.N.E.&S.E
Wednelday 18.S. E.
Thurfday 19.8. W.
Friday 2008.
Saturday 21. E.
Sunday 22. EF.
Monday 23. E.5. E.
Tuefday 24.58. S. W.
Wednelday 25. N.
Thurfday 26. E, S. E.

S.
Friday 27.8,
S.turday 28. E.S. E.
March vB
Monday 2.8.

S
Tuefday 3. W.S. W.

Wednefday 4. N.

Thurfday 5. E. S. E.

Barom.

bo
>)

NI
AJ

wn Ww

go
2

Ther.

AA see orm

Ww

m= mt ND

NY PWN NN OO mr

O m=
i

- » we

8S o9
Cc

QW

oO

[Strong north night.
Strong north light.

North light.
North light.
North light.
North light.

North light. .

Strong north light.

North light.
North light.

North light.

North light.

Strong north light.

fupr. degel.
North light.
North light.

North light.

Strong north light,

March

159

160

METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS,

1750.

March
Saturday

Sunday
Monday

Tuefday

Wednefday
Thurlday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Monday

Tuefday

Wednefday

Thurfday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Monday
Tuefday
Wednelday
Thurfday

Friday
Saturday

Sunday

18

79

The weather.

Pretty clear, with fome wind and froft.

For the moft part clear and mild weather, with
fome froft.

Clear weather, with fome wind and froft.

Clear weather but ftormy and frofty ; the after-
noon cloudy, ftormy and frofty.

Clear weather with high winds and froft; in the
afternoon cloudy and lefs wind.

Hazy weather, with fome wind and a mild rain.

Rainy and fomewhat windy. |

Cloudy with a little wind.

Dark weather, and pretty windy.

Between whiles clear, cloudy and windy.

Clear and calm weather during almoft the whole
day.

Cloudy and fomewhat windy with a little froft ;

in the evening and night the wind was very
high, and accompanied by fnow.

For the moft part clear, the wind pretty high,
and a little froft ; but in the afternoon a thaw,
with fleet. and rain.

Sudden fhowers of rain and ftorms; by intervals
clear, and in the evening and night calm and
mild.

Dark, but calm weather.

Unfettled weather, wind, hail, fnow, and a little
froft fuceeding each other.

Some fnow and wind, no froft; but between
whiles furious and bluftring ftorms.

Thaw, fnow and wind.

Stormy and fome rain.

Very high winds with thick fnow.and hard froft. .

The wind high with fhowers of {now ; but by
intervals clear and calm.

Clear weather, with fome wind and froft.

The forenoon clear and calm ; but the afternoon
{nowy and frofty.

Gloomy weather, with fome wind and froft, and
fhowers of fnow, flect and rain.

1750,

METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS. |

Wind.

March Ga:
Saturday 7.N.N. W.
Sunday 8.426. E.
Monday g. N.
Tuefday 10.N.

SE:
Wednefday 11. S. W.
Thurfday 12.8. W.
Friday 13.5. W.
Saturday 14. W.S. W.
Sunday 15. W.S. W.
Monday i16.N. & E.
Tuefday 17. E.
Wednefday 18. E.

S. E.
Thurfday 19. S.
Friday 20. N. W.
Saturday 21.8. W.
Sunday 22.8. W.
Monday 23.5. W.
Tuefday 24.8. W.
Wednefday 25. S. W.
Thurfday 26. S, W.
Friday 27.N. FE. & N.
Saturday 28.N.E.

S.S. E.
Sunday 29. E.

Barom. Ther.
2- | x [Strong north light.
4 1 |North light.
2- | x |infra degel.
I BON
9 6- |in the open air.
28 4- | 7 |in the open air:
I I
apg 4 \fupr. degel.
6 | 4
Su} 4-
8 2- |
8 ao
9 I
6 Io
3
26 10 4.
IO- | 3
27 Lol I-
2% 2 (North light.
"Hupra degel.
4 2. {North light.
26 5- | 4
sølle I
4 I
8u}] Oo
10- I- infra degel.
9-
6 fe)

March

«168 *

162

METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS.

1750. The weather.

March 30. Dark weather, pretty windy, no froft; but to-
wards evening a great fall of fnow with a
froft, and in the night a ftorm.

Tuefday 31 The wind very. high with a froft ; but clear and
cloudy between whiles. |

April 1 For the moft part clear and calm weather, with

Thurfday 2

Friday 3
Saturday 4
Sunday 5
Monday 6
Tuefday 7
Wednelday 8
Thurfday 9
Friday IO
Saturday 11
Sunday 12
Monday 13

Tuefday 14

Wednefday 15

Thurfday 16
Friday 17
Saturday 18

Sunday 19
Monday 20
Tuelday 21
Wednefday 22
Thurfday 23
Friday 24.
Saturday 25
Sunday 26

fome froft. |

Tolerably calm with fome fnow, but the eve-
ning windy, and in the night a violent ftorm.

Stormy, and a fharp froft.

Clear weather, with fome wind and froft.

Clear, calm and frofty weather.

Clear and calm weather.

Clear, very windy, and a froft.

The fame.

The fame.

Clear weather, with a little wind and froit.

Cloudy with fome wind, but no froft.

Clear, pretty windy, and a froft. |

The fame; but in the evening thick and cloudy.

Clear, and for the moft part calm weather. Du-
ring the whole day there was a parhelion, with
two mock-funs appearing on each fide, the
colours of the rainbow.

Clear and calm weather, the evening hazy with
fome wind, but no froft.

Hazy weather with fome wind ; a thaw.

The fame, but lefs wind.

Thick hazy weather, the wind pretty high, with
fome rain.

The fame.

Clear, calm and mild weather.

Hazy weather, with fome wind. _

For the greater part clear with fome wind.

Calm weather with mild fmall rain.

Calm weather, and fine and clear between whiles.

Clear and calm, but in the night a fharp froft.

Clear and calm ; in the night a froft,

1750.

METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS.

Wind. Barom. ‘Ther.
March 30.5. W. 26 10 1 |fupr. degel.
N.N. W.
Tuefday 31.N.N.W. [27 3 2 |infra degel.
" April TINGS E. 6 I
Thurfday 2. E. 3 I
N. 26 11- | 3
Friday 3. N. II- | 3. |North light.
Saturday 4.N. 29. 4. 1 {North light.
Sunday 5a! 6 t {Strong north light.
Monday 6. N. 9 O
Tuefday 7.NvE. 28. ro O
Wednefday 8.N.E. SØ Sa Be
Thurfday 9. N.E. 9 dg
Friday 10. N.E. 9 I
Saturday 11.5. E. 5 I |fupr. degel.
Sunday x2, aD. E. 6 Oo
Monday 13.N.N.E. II- | 2- |infra degel.
Tuefday 14.N.E. ts OE I
Wednefday 15. E. 27.41 1 |fupr. degel.
SAR
Thurfday 16.8. E. 5- | 4
Friday 17.8. S. E. 5 hie
Saturday 18.5. E. 7 5
Sunday 19.5. E. IO 5
Monday 20.8. E. IO 5
Tuefday 21.8. E. IO- | 5
Wednefday 22.5. E. Iov]| 5
Thurfday, 23.8. E. 10 5
Friday 24. 28 2 5
Saturday 25. E. 3 4.
Sunday 26. N. W. sol! 3

May

163

164
?

METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS.

1750..

mm

April 27
Tuefday 28

Wednefday 29
Thurfday 30
May I
Saturday 2

Sunday 3
Monday 4
Tuefday 5
6
7

Wednefday

‘Vhuriday

Friday 8
Saturday 9
Sunday TO
Monday Ta
Tuefday 12

Wednefday 13

Thurfday 14
Friday i
Saturday 16
Sunday 17
Monday 18

Tuefday 19
Wednefday 20
Thuriday 21
Friday 22

Saturday 23
Sunday 24

The weather.

Cloudy, with fome wind.

By intervals clear, with a little wind in the after-
noon, and in the night a high wind and froft.

Clear weather, with fome wind and froft.

Clear and calm.

The fame.

Between whiles gentle fhowers of rain, and a
little wind.

Clear, calm and mild.

Calm, and between whiles mild rain.

Small rain and little wind, but towards the eve-
ning clear with high wind.

Clear and calm.

Cloudy with fome rain, and the wind pretty
high ; but towards evening clear, and a fharp
froft.

Clear, the wind high, and fome froft.

Clear, calm weather with froft; but the after-
noon cloudy with wind and rain.

Cloudy, but for the moft part calm.

Between whiles rain and high wind.

Cloudy, but calm weather.

By intervals gentle fhowers of rain and a little
wind.

Cloudy and tolerably mild.

Cloudy with a high wind.

The fame, with fome rain.

The fame. :

Dark weather and pretty windy ; towards the
evening clear and calm, and in the night a
high wind and rain.

Cloudy and windy.

The fame, |

The fame.

Cloudy with fome wind ; towards night the wind
very high.

Clear by intervals, and very high wind.

The fame.

177 50.

METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS. 165

Wind. Barom. Ther.
April STR W 3 4
Tuefday 28.58. W. Tol] 4
Wednelday 29. N. I
Thurfday 30. N. BOER va
May Ey Ph 2
Saturday 2. N. to W. 3 3
Sunday. 3..8. W. Bat
Monday 4. N. W. 3 6
Tuefday 5.9. W. 4o0| 6
, S. W. fe) 6
Wednefday 6. N. W.
Thurfday 7. N. W. 3 5
S. W. 27 10 5

N.
Friday 8. N. 28 oO -
Saturday g. N. 2 I

5. W. I 3
Sunday ro, S. OO brs
Monday 11. W. Ar mak Ss Sa
Tuefday 12. W. 28:12 5
Wednelday 13. S. W. 2- | 5 |fupr. degel.
Thurfday 14. S. W. 2 5-
Friday 156.5. 8. E. 3 6
Saturday 16.8. 3 6
Sunday 173878. E: 2- | 6
Monday 18.8 I 7

2

Tuefday 19.8. O G) +

till after. 2
Wednefday 20. S. 3- | 6
Thurfday 21. S. 301 6
Friday 22.8. to E. 3 8

S. E.
Saturday 23.5. E. 3 7
Sunday 24. 8. E. 3 7

Uu May

166

METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS.

1750:

The weather.

May 25
Tuefday 26
Wednefday 27
Thurfday 28
Friday 29
Saturday 30

Sunday 31
June I
Tuefday
Wedneld ay
Thurfday

2

3

4
Friday g
Saturday 6
Sunday 7
8

9

O

Monday
Tuefday
Wednefday 1

Thurfday 11

Friday 12
Saturday 13
Sunday 14
Monday 15
Tuefday . 16
Wednefday 17
Thurfday 18
Friday 19
Saturday 20
Sunday 21
Monday 22
Tuefday 23
Wednelday 24
Thurfday 25
Friday 26
Saturday 27
Sunday 28

Hazy with fome rain, but calm.

Rain and wind.

Clear, calm and warm weather.

Hazy, but calm weather with {mall rain.

Clear weather, and pretty windy.

Clear with fome wind.

The fame.

Driving clouds and a little wind.

Clear weather with a little wind.

Clear weather with fome wind.

The fame.

The fame, with very little wind.

Thick hazy weather with fome wind.

Driving clouds, and between whiles clear, and
pretty windy.

Hazy weather, with fome rain and wind.

Thick hazy weather, with rain and more wind.

For the moft part clear and pretty windy; but
in the night a ftorm.

The fame ;' but towards the evening a calm.

The fame, with a little wind.
Clear weather with a little wind.
Rainy, but calm weather.

Clear weather with fome wind.
Between whiles clear with fome wind.
Clear weather and pretty windy.
The fame, with lefs wind.

Clear, and for the moft part calm.
The fame.

The fame.

The fame.

The fame.

The fame.

Clear and calm weather.

Cloudy and calm weather.

Clear and calm weather.

The fame.

1750.

METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS. 167

Wind. Bårom. ‘Ther.
SR CENA TUN ERE NETTE eerie NESEREDERN
May 151425. 3-7] 8
Tuefday 20.8. 2 8
Wednelday 27. 4. IO
‘Theriday. 28. NOW... 5 8
Friday . . 29.N. 4- | 6
Saturday 30. N. W. 2 6
Sunday gr. N. 27 11- | 60
June. .1.E.toN.&S. Iov| 60
Tuefday’ ~~ 2.8. & N. Q- |.7
Wednefday 3.N. W. 9- | 8
Thurfday 4.N. W. ¥O-~-| 8
Begay, |. 5. WY. ee 2 8
Saturday 6. S. I 8
Sunday 7.5. to E. I- | 9
Monday 8. S. 27 10- | 8
Tuefday 9.8. W. 27 -6-,.| 7. |fupr. degel.
Wednefday 1o.'N. E. 8 80

N. E. 8 5
Thurfday 11.N. E. 8- | s

S. E.
Friday 12.N. gv] 6
Saturday 13.N. 6 SNe ity
Sunday 14.°S. W. I0vu| 9
Monday .15. 8. Ilo] 8
‘Tuefday 16. N. 40 8
Wednefday 17. N. Fr | 8 "Holm. fhip.
Thurfday 18. N. 28 oO 8-
Friday 19. N. W. Iv| 9
Saturday 20. N W. 2 9
Sunday 21. N. W. 1 9 Hafnef. fhip.
Monday 22.N. W. I 9 |
Tuefday' 23. W.S.W.&N. 6 {10,4
Wednelday 24. NW&W.tS.)27 10- |10 |
Thurfday 25. N. E. &S. It |1o
Friday 26. S. W. 28 40 IIe
Saturday 27. N. W. t Ato.
Sunday 28, N. W. | Ovlir |

Ma y

168

METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS.

reso.

The weather.

June
Tuefday
pay
Thu riday
Friday
Sunday
Monday
Tuelday
Wednelday
Thurfday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday

Monday .
Tueflday
Wednelday
Thuriday
Friday
Auguft
Sunday
my
‘Tuefd ay
Wedneiday
‘Thuriday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Monday
Tuefday
Wednelday
Thurfday
Friday

Saturday
Sund» y

Monday

CCSI OM PW N me

Ne)

10
II
12
5

14

16

Clear weather, and the wind high.

The fame.

The fame, but pretty calm.

The fame.

The fame.

Hazy weather with fome rain and wind.

Pretty clear and calm.

The fame.

Between whiles clear, with a little wind.

Some rain and a little wind.

Thick hazy weather, but fomewhat calm.

The fame.

Clear weather with a little wind, and in the
afternoon fome rain.

Clear, with fome wind.

Cloudy, with a little wind.

Between whiles rain and a high wind.

Dark weather, with a little wind. }

High wind with fome rain. |

Pretty clear and calm weather.

Thick hazy weather, and a little windy. ]

Pretty clear with fome wind.

The fame.

Clear weather with a little wind.

Much the fame.

A little rain, but for the moft part calm.

Clear weather and pretty windy.

The fame, with lefs wind.

The fame.

Clear and calm weather.

The fame.

Clear weather with a very high wind. sin,

Clear and calm weather during almoft the hola
day.

The fame.

For the moft part clear weather, with a high
wind.

By intervals clear, with fome wind.

1750.

METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS.

Wind. Barom. ‘Ther.

Tune møg W. doy nd: id
Tuefday 30. N. W. al yale oc
July 1. N. W. 6- | 3
Thurfday 2.N. W. 5-. [at
Friday 3. W. 4- {12
Sunday IQ. PARQ OLE
Monday 20.E.&N. 9 {13
Tuefday 21. N W. Q- {13
Wednefday 22. aR Lost
Thurfday 23. W. toS ay i Bila a
Friday 24. 5- |12
Saturday 25. S. W. 5- {12
Sunday 26. 5- |II-

| E,

Monday 27. 7 gv
Tuefday 28.N. W. Ile] 9

Wednefday 29.
Thurfday 30.

ZLZZZPZELZALZSPPPOAAAMP SS Sz syz7z7ZZ

Friday g1.S.E. 27. Q- |Io
Auguft 1.5. & W. g {10
Sunday 2 & N.W. o, bizd
Monday 3 IO vo |L0
Tuefday 4. N. W. IlLv| 9
_ Wednelday 5. II- | 9
Thurfday 6 280 9
Friday 7.8. to E. I |1Q | North light.
Saturday 8. 20 {10
Sunday 9. 27 1I- |10-
Monday 10. 9- |IO-
Tuefday 11. g |10
Wednefday 12. N. W. g lii
Thurfday 13. g- {10
Friday I4. 8- |11
Saturday 15. E. 8 Ir
Sunday 16. N. 8- |10
Monday 17.5. E. 1O- {XII

X x Auguft

169

r70

METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS,

1750.

The weather.

Augutt 18
Wednefday 19
Thurfday 20

Friday ad
Saturday 22
Sunday 23

Monday = 24
Thurfday 27

Friday 28
Saturday 29
Sunday 30
Monday 31
September 1
Wednefday 2
Thurfday 3
Friday 4
Saturday 5
Sunday 6
Monday 7
Tuefday 8

'Wednefday 9
Thurfday 10

Friday II
Saturday 12
Sunday 14

Monday 14

Tuefday 15

Wednefday 16

Thurfday 17

For the moft part clear and calm weather.

The fame, but with fome wind.

Clear and calm.

The fame.

The fame, but foggy.

Clear and calm weather, towards the evening
hazy, with a little rain and wind.

Clear weather with fome wind.

Pretty clear, with a little wind. ”

Cloudy, with a high wind and a little rain.

The fame, but no rain.

The fame.

Stormy weather and rain.

Pretty windy and fome rain, but in 1 the after-
noon clear, with a little wind.

Clear with fome wind.

Cloudy, anda high wind.

The fame.

Stormy weather, with the clouds driving.

Clear and cold weather, and pretty windy.

Wind and rain, but between whiles clear.

For the greater part clear with a little wind, and
in the mountains fome fnow ; Lasalle the
evening the barometer ftood.

A continual rain, and pretty high wind.

Clouds, with a pretty high wind; by intervals
clear, and in the night a froft.

Clear and calm, towards evening a little wind.

Rain and wind ; but between whiles clear.

Rain and a pretty deal of wind.

The fame; at noon the rain ceafed, and the
weather was calm and mild.

The wind very high with fome rain; afternoon
very rainy and windy.

Cloudy and pretty windy.

Cloudy, but for the moft part calm ; in the
afternoon a little fmall rain, and quite calm;
but rain during almoft the whole night.

1759.

METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS. 1713

Wind. Barom. - Ther.
Auguft 18.S. E.&N.E II 1” 1i-
Wednefday 19. N..E. 1O- | Ik
Thurfday 20. ad g- | rz {North light.
Friday 21. N. QO- | mn}.
Saturday 22.N. W. g- | IE
Sunday 232 cides 277 g- | 41I-
' SE.
Monday 24. E. Q- | 4I-
Thurfday 27.5, W. rr | 11
Friday 28.8. S. E. 28 0v| 10-
Saturday 29.E 27 Cb07si buna
Sunday 30. E. to S$ 60] ro
Monday 31.5S.E.S.toW. 3- ub 10
_ September 1.8. E 4 IO
: N.E.&N. 6> j100
Wednefday 2. N. & W. 9 9 |North light.
Thurfday 3.E ing Gab: Qs |
Friday 4.N. E. & N. 2- | 80
Saturday 5.N.E 7 6
Sunday 6.N 9- | 6 {Strong north light.
Monday 7.8 ros 4.8 | :
Tuefday 8. N. W. 10- | 8
28 0
Wednefday g.S.toW. [27 8 9
Thurfday 10. W. S. W. 7- | 6-
Friday 11.8. to E. g- | 6- Strong north light.
Saturday 1412.8. to W. 9 8
Sunday 13.5 E.&S. 8- | 8
Monday 14.5. 7 1-9
Ww. II
Tuefday 15.8. E. 11- | 8-
Q-
Wednefday 16. S. to E. 28: 0 IO
Thurfday 17.8. to E. I 10

September

172

METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS.

1750.

September 18

Saturday 19
Sunday 20
Monday 21

Tuefday 22
Wednefday 23

Thurfday 24
Friday 25

Saturday 26
Sunday 27

Monday 28
Tuelday 29
Wednefday 30
October I
Friday 2
Saturday 3
Sunday A
Monday 5
Tuefday 6
Wednefday 7
Thurfday 8
Friday 9
Saturday 10
Sunday II
Monday 12

The weather.

Cloudy and the wind pretty highs ; in the after-
noon a little rain.

Cloudy and pretty wigdy.

Showery with fome wind; but in the night a
calm and continual rain.

Rain and calm weather ; but the evening windy,
and a violent ftorm in the night.

Stormy, fhowery, and between whiles fun-fhine.

Showery, windy, and by intervals fun- fhine, and
the wind pretty ftill.

Somewhat windy and fhowery, but towards the
evening clear and windy.

Rainy weather, but fomewhat calm.

Unfettled weather, rain, fun-fhine, and very windy.

Foggy, but calm, in the evening and night a vio-
lent ftorm and rain.

Cloudy and windy ; during the afternoon rain,
and fnow in the mountains.

Clear and windy, with fhowers of rain and hail.

Windy and fhowery.

Rainy and windy.

Thick hazy weather and windy ; in the evening
a high wind and rain.

At eight o'clock, A. M. calm and clear, about
noon heavy rain and fome wind; in the after-
noon fome fhowers of rain, wd between
whiles fun-fhine.

By intervals clear, fhowery and windy; but during
the evening and night, continual rainand calm.

Pretty windy and fhowery; in the afternoon and
evening, an almoft conftant rain and wind.

A continual fmall rain, but the weather fome-
what calm, and the air dark and foggy.

Between whiles clear and fome wind.

A continual rain and wind.

Clear and windy, in the night froft and (now.

A very. high wind, accompanied with hail.

Cloudy and calm, with a little froft.

The fame, but clearer and no froft.

1750.

METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS. 172

Wind. Barom. Ther. open air.
September 18.S S. E. | i |z0oc |
O-
Saturday 19. E. S.E. 27 Ii- j|100
Sunday 20. S. W. & S. 9 |1Ov
Monday = 21. S. E. 15 9
N. E. I
Tuefday: 22.8. Es...) 3- | 80
Wednelday 23. E. S. E. 6-. | 8 Str. north light,
Thurfday 24.E.S.E 5-407
| N. 4- 70
Friday 25.N.E. & W. 2 113
Saturday 26. S.&S.toE, 7 79
Sunday hy eh RE 9 7
| N. W. 5 6
Monday 28. W. 3 6
N. W. 4 5-
Tuefday 29.5. W. 6 5
Wednefday 30. S. 3 5
Odtober rN. E.& N, 3 5
Friday 2. E. ‘ 5 5
E.to N. 26 II |
Saturday 3.8. 27 100
10o- | 60
28 oO
Sunday 4. S. W. 3- | 709
. 6
Monday 5.S.W. | J 7
W.S. W. 7- | 7-
Tuefday 6.S. W. Bled 77
Wednefday 7.8. W. 6 70
Thurfday 8.8. 3 79
Friday g: W.toS.&N.W. O 7.0 North light,
Saturday ; 10. W. 27 1. 4 |1 |fupr. degel.
Sunday 11,N.&N.E./28 2 3.10 |North light.
Monday 12.8. W. 5 \3 |

Y y October

174

METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS.

1750:

The weather.

Odtober- 13

Wednelday 14
Thurfday 15
Friday 16
Saturday 17
Sunday 18
Monday 19
Tuefday 20

Wednefday 21
Thurfday 22

Friday 23
Saturday 24
Sunday 25

Monday 26

Rainy and windy, and the air thick and hazy.

The air thick and hazy , with fome poe but
towards the evening clear.

Cloudy with fome wind and fhowers ; ; in the
night it fnowed in the mountains.

Clear and calm; but in the night a ftorm.

Stormy weather with heavy fhowers, and about

ten o'clock, P. M. a violent ftorm.

Stormy weather, between whiles clear, but in
the night a moft violent ftorm.

Stormy and {howery; at midnight the fare
abated.

Windy and fhowery; at noon it began to be
calm.

By intervals clear, and gi the moft part calm.

The fame.

The glade of the north-light paffed from E.N. E. $
to W. N. W. through. the zenith extremely
lucid, and many {mall radii, though not fo
bright, {hot the fame way, all from the north,
but none from the fouth. About nine o’clock
the fky was covered. with clouds, and after
hardly any north light appeared in the clouds.

Light clouds, and calm weather.

Between whiles clear > but for the moft part calm.

For the moft part clear and ad in the night a
froft,

Clear and cålm. In the evening of this day two
luminous arches were feen to the fouth, about
16 degrees above the horizon, being the point
from whence the directionof their rays was
towards the zenith between S. E. and S. W.
With all the celerity of an inftantaneous mo-

tion, rays. gufhed forth on both fides to the
Eaft and Welt, and fteod collected about the
zenith. From thence they darted towards the
other hemifphere, and for fome time made a
moft beautiful appearance, like a glory or
circle

METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS. 176

Wind. Barom. Ther. open air.
O@ober 13.58. 3 7
Wednefday 14.5. & W. [27 11 6
Thurfday 15.8. W. & W. 9 4-
Friday 16. S. toE 28 o- 3+
5. E iy ae <0)
Saturday 17.S.E 9 6
80
Sunday 18. S. E. 9- 5
Monday 19.5. E 100 5
Tuefday 20.8. to E. IE
S. Str. north light,
Wednefday 21. S. on 's 6
Thurfday 22.85. 2- 5 |Str. north light.
3 4
Friday 24ro. 4 40 5 |North light.
Saturday 24.8. . 3 s-|North light.
Sunday 25.5. E. 5- 6 |North light.
Monday 26.5. E. 5 | 1 |Str, north light,

Oétober

176

METEOROLOGICAL

1750.

Ober 9+) 27

Wednefday 28

Thurfday 29
Friday 30

Saturday 3
November
Monday
Tuefday
Wedneiday
Thuriday

Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Monday

i. cos 6s WMmeawW DN & ke

Tuefday 10

OBSERVATIONS.
The weather.

circle of effulgent beams. Afterwards this
north light extended its corrufcations farther
to the North, and therein formed an arch of
about 24. degrees altitude. In the beginning
of the evening till paft 7 o'clock, no ftreams
of the light appeared in the North, but it after
continued the remainder of the evening as
ufual, with very bright arches interfeGting the
zenith from Eaft to Welt. The ftar-light
was very corrufcant, and the evening fine and
clear.

Clear and calm weather, with a little-froft. The
north-light appeared prefently after ‘the fun-
fet as ufual, with a ftrong bright bow or arch,
from Eaft to Weft, which ftreamed like a
river trom Weft to Eaft. It is. thus it com-
monly appears, except when rays dart from’
the North or South. Towards 7 o'clock,
it grew fo dark, that the ftars could hardly be
perceived.

The forenoon was clear ; about noon light clouds
appeared, with calm wiht and a little froft.
The night before there was a pretty hard froft.

Small rain but calm.

Some rain and a little wind ; in the evening and
night a froft.

Clear calm weather with a froft,

The fame, with a little wind.

The fame.

Cloudy but calm, without any froft.

Clear with fome wind and froft. :

Clear with a little wind and froft. A fog in the
evening.

Clear, windy and frofty.

Clear and calm, with a little froft.

Clear, with a little wind and froft.

Clear and calm, with a little froft ;
ning hazy, and a little fnow.

Clear weather, with a little wind and froft.

1750.

towards eve-

METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS.

… Wind. " Barom. Ther. open air.
O&ober 27.5.E.
Wednefday 28.8. E. 4 2
Thurfday 29. S.E.&N.W. 4. 2- | North light.
Friday 30.N.W.& N 3- | 209 | North light.
Saturday 31.E. 4 O (North light.
November 1N. 5 2- ‘infra degel.
Monday LE. 5 2 North light.
Tuelday 3.N. 4 3 |fupr. degel.
Wednefday 4. E. 4 o (St. flying nor. light.
Thurfday AES &N E:(28" 3 2- Strong north light.
infra degel.

Friday 6.N. E. 2- | 2- |North light.
Saturday To Se KBs 20 | 20 |North light.
Sunday 8. N.t. W.&N. I 2 |North light.
Monday 9.8. E. 27 IE 1- |North light.
Tuefday 10. E. | 10 o

Z2 November

177

178

METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS,

1750.

November 11

Thurlday 12

Friday 13

Saturday 14

Sunday FE

Monday 16

Tuefday 17
Wednefday 18
Thurfday 19

Friday 20
Saturday 2
Sunday 22
Monday 23

Tuefday 24
Wednelday 25

Thurfday . 26
Friday 27

Saturday 28

Sunday 29
Monday 30
December 1
Wednefday 2
Thurfday 3
Friday 4.

Saturday

nm

The weather.

Hazy weather and pretty windy, but no froft;
the evening calm, with fome rain and fnow.
Hazy weather with fome wind; the afternoon
very windy and rainy, at 9 oclock, P. M.
clear and calm.

Clear and calm, in the afternoon rain, and in the
night a ftorm with a little froft.

Stormy yet clear, with fome froft; the ftorm con-
tinued all the evening.

Stormy, but for the moft part clear, with fome
froft; the afternoon and evening calm, though
hazy, and without froft.

Clear and calm weather ; the evening the fame.

Fogey but calm.

Hazy, mild and calm weather.

Foggy, with a little wind.

The fame, with fome fhowers of rain.

The fame, but for the moft part calm.

The fame, but with a continual fmall rain.

The fame.

The fame.

The fame, with a little wind, and in the night
fome froft.

By intervals clear, fome wind and froft.

For the moft part clear, with a little wind and
froft ; in the night fnow.

Hazy, with fome wind and froft ; towards even-
ing a high wind and rain, but no froft.

Clear weather, with fome wind and a froft.

Clear and calm with fome froft.

Hazy, a little wind, but no froft.

Rainy, and pretty windy.

Hazy, fhowery, and a high wind.

Hazy, with fome wind but no rain ; in the after-
noon clear and calm weath cr, and in the night
a little froft.

Cloudy, fome wind, no froft, and in the even-
ing a ftorm. 1750.

METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS.

November 11. S.

Thurfday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Monday
Tuefday

Wednelday
Thurfday

Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Monday
Tuefday

Wednefday

Thurfday

Friday
Saturday

Sunday
Monday

December
Wednefday
Thu rfday

Friday

Saturda y

Wind.

Barom.

28 ov

Ahi Oo

28 2»

Q-

to
MI

Ther. open air,

Strong north light.

179

180 METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS.

1750.

December 6
Monday 7

Tuefday 8
Wednefday 9

Thurfday 10
Friday’ - 11

Saturday 12

Sunday 13
Monday 14
Tuefday 15

Wednelday 16

The weather.

Before the ftorm began, the moon had clofe
round it a halo, or ring of the colours of a
rainbow, about a hand’s breadth in appear-
ance, and oval according to the fhape of the
moon, which then was almoft in the firft
quarter. About this halo was another of the
fame breadth, exceeding luminous and clear.
Prefently after the appearance of this meteor,
it grew very cloudy, and the ftorm began, and
did not ceafe till towards morning.’

Cloudy, fhowery, windy, a large halo round the
moon, and a great ftorm in the night about
24 hours after the former was allayed.

A ftorm with hail and rain; about noon the
ftorm ceafing, it continued a little windy, with
a few ftrong gufts by intervals.

In the forenoon rain and wind; but the after-
noon clear and calm, and a Froft in the night.

Clear and calm with a little froft; in the after-
‘noon and evening pretty high wind.

Clear and calm, with a little troft.

Clear with fome wind and a froft; the afternoon
and evening pretty windy.

Cloudy, and a high wind about feven o ‘loth,
A. M.

Calm clear weather, and a froft; in the evening
a great halo round the moon.

Clear and calm with a froft

The fame.

The fame.

It is remarkable, that though calm and clear
weather had continued now upwards of five
days, except a little wind the 11th and 12th,
yet the barometer was.very low, and at fea
there was fuch ruffling hard north weather,
that they could not row five or fix miles out
at fea to fifth, before they met with {welling
furges, the noife of which might be heard from
the fhore.

1750.

METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS.

Wind.

ap TOOT EECCA

December 6.5.
Monday 7.E.

Tuefday 8.S. to E.
Wednefday g. E.

Thurfday 10. E.
Friday 11. N. E.

Saturday 12.N.

Sunday 1348. to E.

Monday 14.8. E.
Tuefday 15.S. E.

Wednefday 16. S, to E.

Barom. ‘Ther. open air.

b=
a

27 9 fupr. degel.

o- 4- (North light.

5- | 20 (North light.

ss infra degel.
. 3- o- | North light.
2- 2 0 | North light.

3 2 |North light.
63
3- | 3- |North light.

27 6 40 infra degel.
50} 4 | North light.

7- | 5 Strong north light.
"North light.

a ee

Aaa December

18

182

METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS.

1780;

The weather.

December 17
Friday 18

Saturday 19
Sunday 20
Monday 21
Tuefday 22
Wednefday 23

Thurfday 24
Friday de

Saturday 26

Sunday 27

Monday 28
Tuefday 29

Wednefday 30
Thurfday 31

1751.
January I

Clouds driving, pretty windy, and a froft.

Cloudy, windy and frofty; towards evening
fnow.

The forenoon cloudy, but the afternoon clear,
calm and frofty.

Snow, with wind and froft ; towards the even-
ing rain and wind, but no froft.

Clouds but calm ånd fhowery ; froft in the-
night.

Hazy, towards the evening rain, but for the moft
part calm ; in the night a froft.

Cloudy, between whiles clear, but for the moft
part calm, with a little froft.

Very high wind and rain.

Cloudy, with a little wind, and in the evening
fome froft.

In the forenoon wind, fnow and froft; but in
the afternoon calm, towards the evening rain,
and in the night a high wind and froft,

Stormy, but by intervals clear and frofty ;

The evening quite calm with a froft.

Hazy, windy and rainy.

Cloudy, but for the moft part calm aa mild
weather.

Hazy, windy and rainy.

The fame, but lefs wind.

Foggy, but for the moft part calm.

The evening was pretty clear, and had a ftrong
north light all over the fky, but chiefly in the
fouth and about the zenith. No rays proceed-
ing from the north, except about the zenith.
At half an hour paft 10, P. M. it grew hazy,
as it ufually does after the north light.

1751.

METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS,

Wind. Barom. Ther. open air.
December 17. N. 100 | 5- |North light.
Friday 18. E. 9 |
Aj |
Saturday 109. E. 9- | 4- {North light.
Sunday 20.N. Yarns me
E. fe) 2- {fupra degel.
Monday 21. E.toS. 26 I0- | 2
NE
Tuefday 22.N.E. Cy ie oes ae
Wednefday 23. S, 2718 Io
Thurfday 24.8. 7 2 =
Friday 25.N. W. 9- North light.
N. O-
Saturday 26.N. 8
E. 5- | I
N. |
Sunday 27.N. ro- | 4- |infra degel. |
Strong north light.
At 110 clock,P.M.
it grew hazy, but
no froft.
28 40
Monday 28.8. 2 2- |{upr. degel.
Tuefday 29.8. I 3
Wednefday 30. S. o 3
Thurfday 31.S.&5. E. 20] 4
1751.
January 1. S. 28 1 1 |fupr. degel.

January

183

184

METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS.

The weather.

196.
January 2
Sunday 3
Monday 4.
Tuefday 5

Wednefday 6

Thurfday 7
Friday 8
Saturday 9
Sunday 10
Monday 11
Tuefday 12

Wednelday 13

Thurfday 14

Friday Ig

Froft in the night.

No froft, but cloudy, with a little wind.

In the evening it was clear, and a ftrong north
light appeared about half an hour paft five,
as alfo an arch or bow inthe North, which
rofe gradually to the zenith, and afterwards
in a dire€tion to the South, where between

whiles three broad arches from Eaft to Weft

were very corrufcant, but ftood clear and lu-
minous without Sinus"

Hazy and calm with rain; but in the night a
little froft.

Hazy, and for the moft part ln with fone

froft-; in the evening a pretty ftrong north
light to the fouth.

The forenoon clear, very windy and a froft ; in
the afternoon the wind much higher, and the
froft {harper ; in the evening a north light.

Clear weather and a high wind, at fix o'clock,
P. M. calm, and afterwards.a north light. »

Forenoon clear and calm, with a fhar
froft; the afternoon hazy with lefs froft.

For the moft part clear, with a little wind and
froft ; in the evening a very high wind, froft,
and north light.

Clear, ftormy and a froft; in the afternoon hazy.

Somewhat hazy, with a very. high wind and
froft ; in the evening lefs wind, but clearer

" and a froft.

Between whiles clear, with a high wind and froft.

Hazy, pretty windy, and a froft.

Hazy, pretty windy, and no froft ; in the evening

rain and lefs wind.

Rain and hail with fome wind ; but in the even-
ing pretty clear, a froft and north lights, and
in “the night {now.

Hazy weather, pretty windy, and no fe ‘oft ; in the
afternoon and evening ftormy and fhowery ;
and in the night exceeding ftormy.

1751.

METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS,

Wind. Barom. ‘Ther. open air.
January 2. S. 27: Tes ve
Sunday 3. S. SV, ae ee
Monday | 4.8: W. g- | 2 |infra degel.
| North light.
Tuefday 5. N. 8-
1r- | g_ |North light.
Wednefday 6.N. 28 1 9 ;
2- |10 |North light.
Thurfday 7.8. E. a Tho
Io] 509
Friday & B.S. E, 40
| N. 6 |North light.
Saturday 9. N. a9 11 40,
Sunday 10. N. 9 2- |
N. E. 8- 5
Monday 11.N. 7 A 6 infra degel.
Tuefday. 12. E. BEL red
Wednelday 13.5. E. 26 12.0 |
S. 4 fupra degel.
Thurfday | 14. W. Ye Ee A ae,
N. W. 3%! o- infra degel.
! North light.
Friday ts. 8, E. | 3- |
| o- | 4- fupr. degel.
26 g- |

January

182

186 METEQROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS,

1761.
January 16
Sunday 17
Monday 18
Tuelday 19
Wednefday 20
ig hurfday 21

Friday 22

Saturday 23

Sunday 24

Monday = 25

J
ON

Tuefday 2

Wednefday 27

The weather.

Towards noon the ftorm abated, towards even-
"ing quite calm, hazy, and a little fnow.

Between whiles clear, calm, and a little froft.

Hazy, with a little fnow, froft and wind; in
the evening pretty calm weather and a north
light.

By intervals clear and hazy, with a high wind,
hail, fnow, and a little froft.

The forenoon hazy and calm, between whiles
{now ; in the evening a ftorm and rain, which
lafted three or four hours ; afterwards a mo-
derate wind.

By intervals calm, fhowery and windy ; the even-
ing pretty clear, with a little froft and a north
light.

Between whiles clear with fome {now, no great
wind, and a little froft; the evening calm,
with a {trong north light.

Hazy, with fome wind and froft; in the after-
noon high winds and {now ; in the evening
a ftorm, afterwards clear, with a fharp froft,
and north light.

Clear, with a high wind and froft; the wind
abated in the evening about eight o’clock, at
which time there was a ftrong north light in
the north.

Clear and calm weather; with a fharp froft;
at noon and in the afternoon, till 4 o’clock ;
the evening hazy and calm about nine
o clock.

Hazy, calm and frofty ; in the afternoon fnow
and a high wind, in the night a ftorm, and

a fharp froft.

Clear weather, with a high wind and froft; in

the afternoon the wind abated ; in the even-
ing clear, calm and a froft, and in the night
a high wind.

175%.

METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS. 187

Wind.

Barom. Ther. open air.

January 16. S. E. A.M.
Sunday 17.8. E. &E.
Monday 18. S. to E.
Tuefday 19.S.toW.&E.
Wednelfday 20. S.

S. clock 112
Thurfday 21,5.

Friday 22.5. W. &S.

Saturday 23.
Sunday 24.N,
Monday 25,8. EF.

Tuefday 26, E.

Wednefday 27, N.

2

Q-
ee

4-

5-

| ro

infra degel.
North light.

fupr. degel.

infra degel.
North light.

North light.
North light.
North light.

infra degel,

January

188

METEOROLOGICAD OBSERVATIONS,

175%

January 28

Friday 229)!

Saturday 30
Sunday 31

F ebruary I

Tuefday 2
Wednefd: ed 3.
Thurflay! dig y
Friday 5
Saturday 6
Sunday! 7
Monday. 18

Tuefday 9

Wednefday 10

Thurfday 11

Friday oy

Saturday 13

Sunday 14
Monday 15

we :
. sd kl

The weather.

Clear with high wind and froft ; in the evening
a ftorm, :and ftrong north light, and in the
night a very great ftorm,

Stormy, fomewhat hazy, and _a froft.

Hazy, ftormy, and a little froft; in the night the
wind laid itfelf. ,

Clear and-calm weather with a little froft; in
the evening a {trong north light in the fouth.
Hazy, |but” for the molt ‘part calm and: mild

weather.

Hazy, with fmall rain and fome wind.

Hazy and calm, with continual rain; in the
night a high wind and froft, .

Clear weather, pretty windy, and a froft; the.
afternoon for the moft part calm with a froft,
but the evening fomewhat hazy and calm,

Hazy and calm, with a little froft ; in the even-

ing a large but faint halo round the moon,
and inthe night a ftorm and fharp froft.

Clear but ftormy, with a fharp froft.

/ The-fame 3 in the evening {now and lefs wind,

but in the night a ftorm.
Clear weather, bat ftormy. and froftv ; in the
evening the ftorm abated. |
Hazy, and for the moft part calm, with fome
{now and rain ; towards evening a high wind,
and between whiles fnow and rain.

By- intervals clear, calm and hazy, with wind and
froft ; in the evening lefs wind, but cloudy.
Clear and calm weather with a froft; in the

evening a north light in the fouth.

‘Hazy and calm with a froft; the evening clear,

| ofwith a faint north light.

For -the moft part calm and clear with fome
froft ; towards evening hazy, but a north light
in the fouth.

Hazy weather, with fome wind and a little froft.

Hazy with {now and wind; the evening calm,
without fnow, but frofty.

7st.

METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS. 189

Wind. Barom. Ther. open air.
January — 28.N E. 27 II-
ro- | 8- |North light.
Friday 29. N.E 7 3
Saturday 30.N.E 7 o
Sunday 37 E. 28 2
rt {North light.
February 1.8. to E. 2- | 3» |fupr. degel.
Tuefday 2.8. to E. 27 II- | 4
Wednefday 3.8. to E II- | 4
N. N. E
Thurfday 4.N.N.E. [28 301] 10 Jinfta degel.
E. 6 O z-
Friday Cee On 3- | -1-
N.
Saturday 6.N. 4 9
Sunday 7. N, 4- | 9
Monday 8. N 4- | 7-
Tuefday 9. E.& S 5-
N 4 | 9-
Wednefday 10. N. & N, E. Io] 6
E. 3- I-
Thurfday 11.E 28 sv! 4" |infra degel.
North light.
Friday 18: Ui 40]| 2-
4- (North light.
Saturday. 13. N.E. &E. 2-
2 |North light.
Sunday 14.E.N E. I- | oO
Monday rg NE,
27 10 °

GC.) ¢ February

1901

METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS. -

1751.

Febru ary 1 6

Wednefday 17
Thurfday 18

Friday. 19

Saturday 20

Sunday 21
Monday 22
Tuefday. 23
Wednefday 24
Thurfday 25
Friday 26

Saturday 27

Sunday 28
March I
Tuefday 2

Wednefday 3

The weather.

a tng ny

Clear and, calm with a froft; in the evening a
north light, with ftrong vibrating rays from
the north eaft.

Hazy, with fome wind and. froft. |

Hazy, and pretty calm, with fome fnow 3 the
evening clear, with a ftrong north light, and
arches firft:appearing in the fouth, and after-

> “wards in the north.

Foggy, calm, and by intervals clear; the even-
ing calm and rainy.

Hazy, with fome wind and fhowers; in the
afternoon a: high wind and rain; the evening
calm and clear, with a’ north light.

Hazy, with a high wind; the afternoon rainy ;
but-in the evening clear, anda north light.
Rain, and fleet, and a high wind ; in the night

a little froft. |

Hazy and calm; the afternoon and evening
clear, fhowery, and windy, with a north light
to the fouth.

Hazy and calm, but in the night a froft.

Hazy and quite calm, with a little froft; the
evening foggy.

Hazy and calm without a froft ; towards even-
ing windy. |

Hazy and fomewhat calm, with a little fhow ;
the night windy and frofty.

Cloudy, high wind, but little froft; the even-
ing-calm and clear, with a north light in the
fouth.

Clear and calm with froft; in the evening north
light in the fouth.

Hazy with fome wind and a little froft; in the
evening a north light N. E. and N. W. to-

~ wards the zenith.

Clear, calm and frofty ; in the evening a ftrong
north light, firft in the fouth, afterwards in
the north, and then all over the fky. |

7

1751,

METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS.

Wind. Barom. ‘Ther. open air.

February 16.58. E. Q- | 4

6- | North light.
B.S EE: rO- 20
E. re fe)

8- | r- {North light.

Wednefday 17. N.
Thurfday 18.N.

Friday 19. N. E. 8- | 2
: E. 6 1- |fupr. degel.
Saturday 20. E. S.E. 6-
E. 5 3 & | North light.
Sunday 21.E. 26 9
S. to E. 110] 40 |North light.
Monday 22.8.&S8.W.|27 6- | 4
Tuefday 23.8.& 8. W. 7-
8- | 2 |North light.
Wednefday 24. W. TO 2
Thurfday 25. 10- | rv |fupra degel.
Friday 26. S. E. 28 oOo

27 10 | 2
Saturday 27.58. & W. 27 7u| Lo

N.
Sund 8.N.
mene T dd M 2. |infra degel,
North light.
March 1 EF 9 5 North light,
Tuefday 2. E. 7 fo)

North light,

Wednefday 3. S. E. & N. Ilv 5 ‘North light.

March

IQI

192

METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS.

175%%

March

Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Monday
Tuefday
W edneiday
Thurfday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Monday

Tuefday
Wednefday

Thurfday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday »
Monday
Tuefday
Wednefday
Thurfday

Friday

l

16
17

18

The weather.

Clear weather, pretty windy, anda froft;. to-
wards the evening the wind ceafed, and after-
wards a ftrong north light appeared chiefly
in the fouth.

Hazy weather, very high wind, and a little froft.

The fame, with forme fhowers.

Hazy, windy and fhowery; the evening calm,
but rainy.

Hazy and windy; in the night a froft.

Hazy and calm, but no froft.

The fame; in the afternoon rain, and in the
night a froft.

Hazy, with a little wind.

Hazy and pretty windy.

The fame; but with fhowers of rain and fnow.

Hazy and a little windy ; towards evening clear
and calm, with a little froft.

Hazy and ealm; the afternoon and. evening
windy.

Hazy, fhowery and windy.

The forenoon clear and calm, but the afternoon
and evening hazy and a little wind.

Hazy and windy ; the evening clear, with lefs
wind and a froft. |

Hazy, with a little wind ; the evening hazy and
a little froft.

Clear weather, with a little wind and froft; in
the evening a {trong north light to the fouth.

Clear weather with fome wind; the evening
calm, and a ftrong north light.

Cloudy, high wind, and a little froft ; the even-
ing calm and clear.

Hazy, calm and fhowery.

Hazy and windy, with fnow and rain.

Hazy, with fome wind; the evening hazy and
calm, in the night fome fnow fell.

By intervals hazy and clear, but for the moft
part calm ; the evening clear, with a north
light and little froft,

1751,

METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS,

Friday 26.

Ddd

ee

Wind. Barom. ‘Ther. open air.
March 4.N. 28 1
S. E.
8 | North light.
. Friday 5 > 24 4 Io |
Saturday 6. E. &S. E o- | 40 |fupr. degel.
Sunday 7. E. to S. 26:18
| 9 40
Monday 8. E. 9- | 3-
Tuefday g. E. 27. O- | 3-
Wednelday 10. E. 3- | 3-
Thurfday 11. E. 50} 2-
Friday 52. Oo 2
Saturday 13.N. E.& E. |26 8- | 2
Sunday 14. N. to E. 10
S. E. Ii- {| I
Monday 15.E. age
| N. 2-
Tuefday 16. E. Bike
Wednefday 17. E. 8- | 2-
Thurfday 18.5. E.
| E. 9- |
Friday 19.N. E.&E. |27 go fupr. degel.
Saturday 20. E. toN. 7 | 1 jinfra degel.
: 2. |North light.
Sunday EEN. g— f.0
3 2. North light.
Monday 22.N. 2-
å Re I
Tuefday 23. E.& S. s- | 2- |fupra degel.
Wednelday 24. E. & E. by S. 3 2 ‘North light.
Thurlday 25. E. O-
S. 2- 3

March

103

194

METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS,

The weather.

1751.

March 27 Hazy and calm.

Sunday 28 Between whiles clear and pretty windy; in the-
. night a froft and north light.

Monday 29 Hazy with fome wind; in the night a froft and

Tuefday 30
Wednefday 31

April I
Friday 2
Saturday 3
Sunday 4
Monday ic
Tuefday 6

‘Wednefday 7

Thurfday 8

Friday 9
Saturday 10

Sunday II
Monday 12
Tuelday 13

Wednefday 14

Thurfday 15
Friday 16
Saturday 17

a little north light.
Clear and calm.
Clear, windy and frofty ; in the evening a little
froft and north light all over the fky.

Clouds driving, with a little wind, no froft.
Hazy weather, pretty windy and fhowery ; the
evening clear and calm, and a north light.
Hazy, fome wind and rain; the evening clear

and calm with a north light.

Between whiles clear, and for the moft part calm.

Hazy, fhowery and calm.

Between whiles hazy with fnow, but for the
moft part calm. .

Hazy with fome fnow, but calm; in the night
a violent ftorm.

Hazy, ftormy, and a froft; in the evening and
night the ftorm greater, and the froft con-
tinued.

Hazy, and a violent ftorm with fome froft.

Between whiles clear, with a high wind and .
froft; the evening a little windy.

Hazy, tals and no froft.

Clear, towards evening windy.

Clear, calm and alittle froft; in the evening a
ftrong north light, and in the day a great halo
round the fun; the preceding day in the fore-
noon there was a mock fun, which in the
afternoon appeared behind the real.

Between whiles clear and calm weather, in the
evening a north light.

Between whiles clear, with fome wind.

Hazy, and pretty windy.

Hazy, windy and fhowery ; the wind was very
high all the evening and night. |

176I.

METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS.

Wind. | Barori. Ther. open air.
March 27 NCE. &E. 5- 1 Oo ©fNorth ight
Sunday 28. N. L&E 5- I
Monday 29. N.N.E.&E. 6 2
North light.
Tuefday 30.N.&N.E. Iru| 1
Wednefday 31. N.&S. E. |28 3 o- |North light.
N. 3- | oO
2 {infra degel.
April mS. 4... - 1- | 2. |fupr. degel.
Friday 2.5. E.&S. |27 11 2- |North light,
Saturday 3.5, Bo} 2
North light.
Sunday 4. S. E. 6- 2
Monday 5.5. W.& W. 6 2
Tuefday 6. S. 40] 20
Wednefday 7. -N., i- | 20
| N.
Thurfday 8.N, 6 o
Friday 9.N. 28 ov| 3- |infra degel.
Saturday 10. N. 128. 2+ 3-
Sunday 11.8.&S. W. |27 9 3- ‘fupra degel.
Monday = 12. S.W.& N.W. 10- 20)
Tuefday 13.N. " 4280 2- rv infra degel.
North light.
‘
Wednefday 14. 20| 2- fupr. degel.
North light.
Thurfday 15.8. to E. 3 4) |
Friday 16. S. S. E. 3- 5 |
Saturday 17.8,5, E. 3- | 6 |

April

195

1906

METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS.

1751s

April 18

Monday 19
Tuefday 20
Wednefday 21
Thuriday 22
Friday 23

Saturday 24
Sunday 25
Monday 26

Tuefday 27
Wednefday 28
Thurfday 29
Friday 30

May I
Sunday 2
Monday 3
Tuefday 4

Wednefday 5

Thurfday 6
Friday 7
Saturday 8
Sunday 9

Monday IO

-The weather.

The fame; >in the evening hazy and mild
weather with {mall rain.

Hazy and rainy, but for the moft part calm.

For the moft part hazy and calm.

Between whiles clear and calm.

The fame.

Pretty clear, with very little wind; the evening
mild and clear.

Hazy and calm with fome fhowers.

Hazy with fome wind.

Between whiles clear but little wind ; evening
clear, with a {trong north light about the ze-
nith.

Hazy and calm.

Clear and calm ; the evening calm and hazy.

Clear and a little wind.

The fame.

Delightful eres weather ; ‘Clear With a little
wind ; the evening bright and ferene.

The bal but the evening a little hazy.

Clear and calm; in the evening a few clouds and
a north light. |

Clear, calm and mild weather, with little froft
in the night. .

Hazy and warm weather with fome wind ; but
a flight froft in the night.

The fame; but the evening clear, and a little
froft in the night.

Clear and mild ; in the evening a little wind.

Hazy and calm, with fome fhowers.

Clear, with a high wind that ceafed towards
night, during which there was a pretty fharp
froft.

For the moft part clear, with a cold wind; in
the evening a high chilling wind, and in the
night a froft and ftorm.

METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS.

Wind.

Barom. Ther. open air,

April si; SE,

Monday 19.N.
Tuefday 20. E.
Wednefday 21. E.

Thurfday 22. E.

Friday 23. E.& N.E
N. E.

Saturday 24.58. E.

Sunday 25.8. E.

Monday 26.N. W.

Tuefday 27. W.&N.W.
Wednefday 28. N. by W.&E.

Thurfday 29.N. W.
Friday 30. N. W.

May IN.

Sunday 2. W.

Monday 3. N W.
Tuefday 4. '

Wednefday 5.8.

Thurfday 6.85.

E.
Friday 7.8.
Saturday 8.5. W.& E.
Sunday g. N.

Monday 10. E.& N.E.
N,

sate dig

59

ran

arene

5°
4-
|

oO

North light.

Evening.
Evening.

Evening.

Evening.

Evening.

Evening.

May

198 —

METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS.

TEL;

May II

Wednefday 12

Thurfday 13
Friday 14

Saturday 15

Sunday . 16
Monday 17
Tuefday 18

Wednelday 19
Thurfday 20
Friday 21
Saturday 22
Sunday 23
Monday 24
Tuefday 25
Wedneiday 26

Thurfday 27

The weather.

re ee ee nee

The fame, ftorm and cold weather; in the
evening a high and nipping wind, and in the
night a fharp froft. The water froze in the
kitchen, and an inch thick in the well.

For the moft part clear with lefs wind, but ftill
cold; a great halo was feen round the fun,
and the wind was high in the evening, but

_ceafed towards night, during which there was
a froft.

Clear, windy and cold, with a froft in the
night.

Clear, with a high wind and cold air; and in
the night a pretty fharp froft.

Between whiles clear, with a high wind and
froft; in the night the water froze an inch
thick.

For the moft part clear, with a high wind and
fharp froft ; and in the night a froft.

Clear and windy, with a little froft in the
night. |

Clear and calm, but in the night a froft.

Foggy, with a little wind, and in the night a
troft.

Clear, windy and cold weather, with a froft in
the night.

The fame.

The fame.

During thefe days a little wind in the day
time, but calm in the evenings.

Clear with a little wind ; the evening calm, but
in the night a froft.

Clear, warm weather, and pretty calm, towards
evening quite calm, and in the night a
froft.

Hazy and calm.

The fame, but the afternoon windy.

Hazy and windy.

17 ct.

METEOROLOGICAL GBSERVATIONS.

Wind. Barom. ‘Ther. open air.

May rr. N. 2- Fo 1% 0'clock, P. M.

N. E. I- | Oo
Wednefday 12,N. N.E. |28 o- | 2

27 11- | 3
Thurfday 13. E. by N. II- | 3
Friday 14.NE II- | 20
Saturday 15.N.N.E. |28 20] 0 clock 11 P. M.
Sunday 16.N, N 30] 0 clock 8 P. M.
Monday 17.N.&N.E. g- | 1 |fupra degel.
Tuefday 18.N. E.&E. 2- | I-
Wednelday 1g. N. E, & E. 2 | 2- |clock 11 P.M.
Thurfday 20,N.N. E. 4- | 2. {clock 10 P. M,
Friday 21.N.&N.E. 4- | 2- {clock 10 P.M.
Saturday 22.N. &N. E. 4- | 3- [clock 10 P.M.
Sunday 23. N. W. 28 2- | 2- |fupra degel.
clock 10 P. M.

Monday 24.N. 28 1

S. E. 28 oOv| 40
Tuefday 25.5. E. 27 11> | 5- |clock 11 half P. M.
Wednefday 26. S. E. II

10 6 |clock 11 P. M.

Thurfday 27.8. E. 1o- | 6. |Midnight.

May

200

METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS.

1751.

The weather. .

May 28
Saturday 29
Sunday 30
Monday 3

June I

Wednefday 2

Thurfday 3

Friday 4.
Saturday 5
Sunday 6
Monday 7
Tuefday 8
Wednelday 9

Thurfday 10
Friday II

Saturday 12
Sunday 13
Monday 14

Tuefday 15°

Wednefday 16

Thurfday 17

F riday 18

The fame; in the night rain.

Hazy, fhowery and windy.

The fame.

The evening windy and fhowery.

Hazy and windy.

The evening clear.
Hazy, windy and fhowery,
Hazy and windy.

The evening very windy.

Hazy and windy : |
From noon the weather remained calm.

Clear and calm :

Towards the evening hazy and a little wind.

Hazy, with fome wind and fhowers.

The fame, with more wind.

Between whiles clear and fomewhat calm.

For the moft part clear and calm.

Between whiles clear and hazy, with a little
wind.

The fame.

The forenoon clear and calm; the afternoon
and evening hazy, but fomewhat calm with
rain.

Hazy, calm and fhowery.

The fame, but more wind.

Hazy, with a little wind.

Rain during the whole day, with a little
wind ; in the evening and night a very high
wind.

Hazy and ftormy during the whole day and
evening.

Hazy, with a great ftorm, and by intervals vio-
lent fhowers of rain ; towards noon three or
four claps of thunder, but not very loud in
the S. E, and S. in the afternoon the wind
not fo high, and no rain.

Hazy, and ahigh wind; in the afternoon lefs
wind with a little rain.

1751,

METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS.

a ne eee ee eee

Wind.
May 28.58. E.
Saturday 29.8
Sunday 30.8. & S. W.
W.S. W.
Monday 31. S.
S. to E.
June | #./$25..B.
‘Wednefday 2.8.5, E.
Thurfday 3.8.
Friday 4. 5. E.
Saturday 5878: Bh
Sunday 6.8. &S. W.
Monday 7. W.
Tuefday 8.S.& S. E.
Wednefday 9. 5S. E.
Thurfday 10.N. E. &
Friday gt. 5...
N. & S,
Saturday 12.5.
Sunday 13.S. E.
Monday 14.58.58. E.
Tuefday 15.8. E.&E.
S. E.
Wednefday 16. S. E.
Thurfday 17.8. 8. E.
Friday 18.8. S. E

=

Rarom. ‘Ther. open air.

7 0 [clock 11 P. M.

6

6.

clock 11 P. M.
clock 10 P. M.

clock 10 P. M.
clock 10 P. M.

clock 10 P. M.

clock 10 P. M.
clock 2 P. M.

clock 11 P. M.
clock 10 P. M.

clock 10 half P.M.
clock ro half P. M.

clock 11 P. M.
clock 10 P. M.

clock ro half P. M, -

clock 2 P. M.

clock 10 half P. M.

clock 10 half P. M.
clock ro half P. M.

clock 11 P. M.

clock 11 half P. M.

clock 1o half P. M.

clock 11 P. M.

clock 11 P. M.

June

201

202

METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS.

17574

The weather.

June 19

Sunday 20"

Monday 21
Tuefday 22
Wednelday 23

Thurfday 24

July 22

30

Hazy with fome wind ; the afternoon and even-
ing calm.

Hazy, rainy, and for the moft part calm ; in the
afternoon clear, with a little wind.

Hazy and rainy, with fome wind.

Hazy, pretty windy, and rainy.

The fame; in the evening rain and wind, and
in the night ftorms and {now in the moun-
tains.

Hazy. and cold weather, with a very high wind ;
the evening clear, but the wind not fo
high. :

The forenoon clear, but the afternoon hazy.

The weather for the moft part clear and warm.

June

METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS:

Wind. - Barom. ‘Ther. open air.
June 1g S. 5 g- clock 11 P.M.
Sunday 20. 8. | |
S.E 4= $09 fclock 11 P.M.
Monday 21.58. & S. W. 3 8 {clock zo half P.M.
Tuelday 22, S.toE.&S.W. O- 8. |clock ro half P. M.
Wednefday 23.85. W 27 1O-
N. 9 6- Iclock 10 P. M.
N.
Thurfday 24.N. 28 o- | 6- Iclock 10 A.M.
mit? Tt fr 6. clock TO P.M.
July S22NIG SHE“) 29 9% © (86° clock x P. M.
30. N. & 5S. E. II eg iclock 1 P. M.

REMARKS

263

RE lebe ee oe
sigh

METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS.

HE barometer I made thefe obfervations by, was a baro-
metre ordinaire, on which the divifions were meafured by
French inches and lines.

The thermometer was conftructed with quick-filver, to pre-
vent its receiving damage, if the cold fhould be very fevere. The
divifions were according to Monfieur Reaumur’s shermometre,
that is, with eighty divifions or degrees between frigus artificrale,
and that point where the fpirits or quick-filver rifes in boiling
hot fpirits of wine, and ninety-five degrees between frigus arti-
ficiale, and that point to which the fpirits of wine rife in boil-
ing hot fpirits, when the thermometer is fealed.

From the beginning of my obfervations, down to the firft of
Odober 1750, they were made in a room where no warmth
or heat could come, and the thermometer was hung out of the
reach of the fun, which fcarce ever fhone in the room. Since
that time I hung the thermometer in the open air, but not in
the leaft expofed to the fun, and fo noted the greateft heat or
cold, as appears by the column of the thermometer. It was
this laft way that fome of the obfervations were made the firft
year, which I have taken notice of in their proper place; and
my remarks both on the barometer and thermometer, were ac-
cording to that time of the day, when they were either higheft
or loweft with the common fign, a half, a quarter, or an ovix.

Having defcribed the inftruments, and my manner of making
thefe obfervations, it will not be amifs to colleét ina fhort com-
pafs, or to form a fummary of them, with regard to the heat,
cold, and denfity of the air in Iceland, as it may be compared
with the fame in Denmark.

According to my obfervations, the thermometer in the winter of
1749, did not fink lower than feven or eight degrees infra dege-

lationegs.

METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS.

lationem. This happened on the 1oth of March 1750, and
was no very great froft, when one confiders that there are frofts
commonly at Copenhagen, which fink the thermometer three
or four degrees ftill lower. The thermometer was in Iceland
11 degrees infra delegationem,—In the winter of 1750, which
was feverer than the foregoing, and was even reckoned a fevere
one by the Icelanders. The mercury in the thermometer funk
13 degrees the 25th of January 1751, at four oclock, P. M.
which is more than it commonly does at Copenhagen, though
it has been ftill lower; forin 1709, it funk 16 degrees, and in
February 1740, upwards of 18;

Upon the whole, it evidently appears from the obfervations,
that the winters are not immoderately cold in Iceland, no frofts
of any long duration having happened, but froft and thaw con-
tinually fucceeding each other as at Copenhagen; fo that the
material difference of the winter muft confift in the length ; be-
caufe in Iceland it feems to laft longer, as may be feen by the
obfervations for both 1750, and 1751, inthe former of which the
froft lafted till the middle of April, and in the latter, till the
middle of May, ice being even found an inch thick in the night
of the 15th of May, and the frofts continuing in the nights
till the 23d. It is likewife obfervable, that the month of May
Was in 1751, very cold in Denmark, but not fo cold as in Ice-
land. oe | |

From cold, it will not be improper to animadvert on the heat.
In Auguft 1749, the thermometer rofe 13 degrees /upra dege-
lationem: in July 1750, it likewife rofe 13 degrees; and on
the 30th of June in 1751, it rofe 17, which laft is its ufual
complement of rifing at Copenhagen, whereby it may be feen,
as one would naturally expeét, that the fummers are not fo hot
as in Denmark, though the difference is not fo great as many
perhaps imagine. It is remarkable, that the fummer of 1750,
the hotteft ever known in Denmark, was very moderate in
Iceland ; for towards the latter end of July, when the thermo-
meter rofe at Copenhagen 25; degrees, it did not rife higher
than 10 or 11 in Iceland. Thus heat and cold cannot be
deemed as correfponding to the fame degrees in both places.

Gøg When

205

206

REMARKS ON THE

When it was but méderately hot at Copenhagen in 1751, the
thermometer rofe higher in Iceland than it did the two preced-
ing fummers, and one may alfo fee by thefe obfervations, that
the air in Iceland is not fubje& to great changes in refpect to
heat and cold as in Denmark, and therefore according to the
rules or opinions of the learned in phyficks, the climate muft be
more healthy, daily experience convincing us, that weak and
tender people in other countries are affected by any unufual great
degree of heat or cold. As for the climate of Iceland, it agreed
extremely well with me, and, I found it much more agreeable
than I expected, or had any idea of ; becaufe at Copenhagen it
is generally compared with that of Greenland, whereas it rather
fhould with that of Denmark or Norway.

Though the air is fubjeét to few changes in regard to heat and
cold, yet its denfity or weight is pretty confiderable. The weight
of the air moft commonly at Copenhagen, according to. bara"
metrical obfervations, is computed at twenty-eight inches of >
guick-filver in the barometer. Sometimes it rifes a few lines
higher, and fometimes finks a few lower; but the whole diffe-
rence, taking one time with another, does not amount to up-
wards of twelve lines or one inch. ‘The barometer feldom finks
at Copenhagen to twenty-feven inches, and when it does, fevere
and ftormy weather generally enfues, efpecially if it falls fudden-
ly, and does not laft long.

It is quite otherwife in Iceland ; for on the r1th of ee ar:
r1th of February, and 24th of March, in 1750, the barometer
ftood at twenty-fix inches, and four or five lines: on the 22d
and 23d of November in 1749, the 5th and 6th of Odober,
and 17th and 18th of November 1750, it ftood at twenty-eight
inches, and feven, eight, and nine lines higher ; fo that the diffe-
rence between the higheft and loweft, amounts to two inches and
five lines, which is very confiderable. I allow that the difference
of the barometer at Copenhagen may exceed, though very rarely,
twelve lines or one inch: but it is plain, that this great difference
with denfity or weight of the air is frequent in Iceland, and it is
even remarkable, that very often when the barometer’ has been
high in Iceland, the weather was very bad, and vice ver/d, very
fine, when the barometer had been very low, which is quite the

reverfe

i

METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS.

reverfe of the rules hitherto eftablifhed, with regard to the baro-
meters rifing and falling. It was not poflible for me from thefe
few obfervations, to fix the {pecific denfity or gravity of the air,
refpectively to Denmark and Iceland, as fuch muft require many
more years obfervations, though it feems to me upon an average,
that the air in Denmark and Iceland is of the fame denfity, or

equally ponderous.

The wind and weather in rn, are alfé imuch the fame as
in Denmark ; but it is not to be underftood, that the weather is
alike at one and the fame time, which cannot be expected in
two countries fo very remote from each other.

The north lights appear oftner in Iceland than in Denmark,
and are not for'the moft part fucceeded by bad weather; they
make the nights much lighter, and are very convenient to tra-
vellers, or thofe who have any thing to do in the open air.

Fogs feldom happen in Iceland, which is quite the contrary of
what Mr. Anderfon afferts in his treatife of this country, wherein
he has taken a deal of pains without any juft reafon, to paint
it in the blackeft colours,

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