The district beyond is wholly uninhabited, and we travelled many miles without seeing a single cottage.

From one desert valley we passed into another; all were alike covered with light-grey or yellowish lava, and at intervals also with fine sand, in which the horses sunk deeply at every step.

The mountains surrounding these valleys were none of the highest, and it was seldom that a jokul or glacier shone forth from among them.

The mountains had a certain polished appearance, their sides being perfectly smooth and shining.

In some instances, however, masses of lava formed beautiful groups, bearing a great resemblance to ruins of ancient buildings, and standing out in peculiarly fine relief from the smooth walls.
These mountains are of different colours; they are black or brown, grey or yellow, &c.; and the different shades of these colours are displayed with marvellous effect in the brilliant sunshine.
Nine hours of uninterrupted riding brought us into a large tract of moorland, very scantily covered with moss.