TRAVELS IN ICELAND. 65 that employed in the manufactories of earthenware. This varnish, its well as the stalactites just mentioned, affords a certain proof of the operation of subterraneous tires, and that the lava, in a state «f fusion, has passed, like a rivulet, through this channel, while it began to cool on the sides and top of the cavern. The flux of lava must have given to the cavern its present form ; while the same fusion must have covered the sides with the metallic alkaline varnish, by melting the interior crust of the cavern in those parts where the heat was strongest. The same cause must also have produced the stalactites. After reaching a certain distance within the cavern, they per- ceived the light of day breaking through an aperture in the sum- mit; andon passingthis hole the cave became asdark as before, and they observed on each side, at the height of some feet, the mouths of two other caverns. When strangers visit this country, they are often induced, from curiosity, to proceed thus far in the cavern; our travellers ascended to that on the right, and then saw two other excavations, separated by one partition. One of these last caves is narrow, and of no great extent, but the other is double its size. A small portion of light is perceptible at its entrance, and its height enables a man to stand erect; it is supposed to be thirty feet long, its top is arched, and its bottom is smooth, red- dish, and declines at the entrance. Messrs. Olafsen and Povelsen found here some large bones of an ox, or similar animal, which they considered as the remains of antiquity, because they were soft and friable, though they were not exposed either to the attacks of water, wind, or weather; they also remarked some common stones of a cubical form, and of a different nature from those of which the rock ofSourther is composed. It is therefore very pro- bable, that they had been brought thither for making a lire-place, as their arrangement seemed to indicate that they had been used for this purpose. Having examined these small passages, our travellers returned, and proceeded towards the great cavern at their commencement, and to enter which it was necessary to climb an equal height. They found it much larger, but more hideous, and totally dark. On first entering, they supposed it to be nothing but a simple cavity; but on passing forward they discovered, in front of the entrance, a small partition, or kind of column, which, how'ever, was of no great extent: it is a kind of gallery extending beyond the cavern, and to which they formerly gave the name of the Little Fort. On one side is a wall, or kind of rampart, built of lava-stone that has been conveyed thither for that purpose. The Stourlonga-Saga, vol. 5, represents this place as a security against any attack, be- OLAFSEN.] I

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