Copy 1, Volume 1

The gallery of nature and art; or, a tour through creation and science. Comprising new and entertaining descriptions of the most surprising volcanoes, caverns, cataracts, whirlpools, waterfalls, earthquakes, and other wonderful and stupendous phenomena of nature. Forming a rich and comprehensive view of all that is interesting and curious in every part of the habitable world. By the Rev. E. Polehampton, and John M. Good, F.R.S. Illustrated by one hundred engravings / [Edward Thomas William Polehampton].

Polehampton, Edward (Edward Thomas William), 1777?-1830.

Date:: 1821

Credit: The gallery of nature and art; or, a tour through creation and science. Comprising new and entertaining descriptions of the most surprising volcanoes, caverns, cataracts, whirlpools, waterfalls, earthquakes, and other wonderful and stupendous phenomena of nature. Forming a rich and comprehensive view of all that is interesting and curious in every part of the habitable world. By the Rev. E. Polehampton, and John M. Good, F.R.S. Illustrated by one hundred engravings / [Edward Thomas William Polehampton]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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Eggart Olafson, in his Enarrationes Historice de Natura et Consti- tutione Islandia. In the north-west quarter, in the district of Isa- fiord, there is a volcanic mountain called Glama, which he describes as rivalling the magnitude of the Snefell Jokul. Thus it appears that the force of subterraneous fire has been exerted upon every part of this extensive island; and when we consider the eruptions that have been seen at a distance in the sea, we are safe in esti- mating, that, in this part of the earth, one continued surface of not Jess than sixty thousand square miles has been subjected to that en- gine of destruction. [Sir George Mackenzie’s Travels in the Island of Iceland.] SECTION Ill. Sulphur Mountains. [By the Same.] Havine taken an early breakfast, we set out towards the Sulphur Mountain, which is about three miles distant from Krisuvik. At the foot of the mountain was a small bank composed chiefly of white clay and some sulphur, from all parts of which steam issued. As- cending it, we got upon a ridge immediately above a deep hollow, from which a profusion of vapour arose, and heard a confused noise of boiling and splashing, joined to the roaring of steam escaping from narrow crevices in the rock. This hollow, together with the whole side of the mountain opposite, as far up as we could see, was covered with sulphur and clay, chiefly of a white or yellowish co- lour. Walking over this soft and steaming surface we found to be very hazardous; and we were frequently very uneasy when the va- pour concealed us from each other. The day, however, being dry and warm, the surface was not so slippery as to occasion much risk of our falling. The chance of the crust of sulphur breaking, or the clay sinking with us, was great; and we were several times in danger of being much scalded. Mr. Bright ran at one time a great hazard, and suffered considerable pain from accidentally plunging one of his legs into the hot clay. From whatever spot the sulphur is removed, steam instantly escapes; and, in many places, the sul- phur was so hot that we could scarcely handle it. From the smell, we perceived that the steam was mixed with a small quantity of sul-

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