TRAVELS IN ICELAND. 63 DESCRIPTION OF THE CAVERN OF SOURTHER. There are many caverns in Iceland, but that called Sourther is the largest, the best known, and the most remarkable, as well on account of its form, as from the details given of it in the ancient and modern histories of the country. In these histories its name is said to be derived from that of an enormous giant, who resided in it, and the inhabitants believe this fable; but it is probable that the name of Sourtour, which means black, was derived from the colour of the rocks, in which it is situated. There is no doubt that this cave has been inhabited, not by giants but by vagabonds, who escaped to avoid punishment for their crimes, which is probable both from its situation and the following anecdote. In two of the ancient histories it is stated, that in the tenth century, a body of thieves took refuge here and found a safe retreat, because, from superstition, no per- son would approach the cave, aud when they went out to cornmit- their depredations, they had on one side a number of villages, and on the other the land of Arnavatn, which was always covered with sheep and oxen at pasture. One day, however, they were surprised by cutting off their retreat, and surrounding them in a little valley. Several other tales are told of different bands of robbers, who have successively resided in this cavern, which have made such an impression on the minds of the people, that none of them will attempt to enter it. Our travellers visited this remarkable cavern; M. Olafseu had already seen it in the year 1730, but had not been able to pene- trate far, on account of the want of torches and other necessary things. The peasants of the district made every possible attempt to deter them from their project, by insinuating that they would never return, as the spirits never failed to punish the curious by killing them, or preventing them from finding their way back : these tales, however, only stimulated their curiosity. This cavern is situated to the south of the land of Arnavatn ; and the country that surrouuds it, bears every mark of vol- canic eruptions. The cavern and its environs consist of rocks of lava melted into masses, and exposed to the air a long time before the country was inhabited. It may be seen from the course of the lava, that the eruption took place from the glacier of Geitland or the rocks behind it, and that the flux ran between the glacier and another mountain called Eryksnypa, whence it afterward separated into two branches. Indeed the whole of this extent of country, presents a striking and extraordinary picture °1 the action of subterraneous lire. On one side may be seen large masses of detached rocks, and on the other, perfectly ho- rizontal strata of stones, melted aud mixed into all manner of

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