282 GREAT ICELANDIC VOLCANOES 
eruptions of any of the Icelandic volcanoes. Previous to 1845 
there had been twenty-two recorded eruptions of this mountain, 
since the discovery of Iceland in the ninth ceatury; while from all 
the other volcanoes in the island there had been only twenty dur- 
ing the same period. Hecla has more than once remained in 
activity for six years at a time—a circumstance that has rendered 
it the best known of the volcanoes of this region. 
LATER OUTBREAKS 
After enjoying a .ong rest of seventy-nine years, this volcano 
burst again into violent activity in the beginning of September, 
1845. The first inkling of this eruption was conveyed to the Brit- 
ish Islands by a fall of volcanic ashes in the Orkneys, which oc- 
curred on the night of September 2nd during a violent storm. 
This palpable hint was soon confirmed by direct intelligence from 
Copenhagen. On the 1st of September a severe earthquake, fol- 
lowed the same night by fearful subterranean noises, alarmed the 
inhabitants and gave warning of what was to come. About noon 
the next day, with a dreadful crash, there opened in the sides of the 
volcano two new mouths, whence two great streams of glowing 
lava poured forth. They fortunately flowed down the north- 
ern and northwestern sides of the mountain, where the low grounds 
are mere barren heaths, affording a scanty pasture for a few sheep. 
These were driven before the fiery stream, but several of them 
were burnt before they could escape. The whole mountain was 
enveloped in clouds of volcanic ashes and vapors. The rivers near 
the lava currents became so hot as to kill the fish, and to be im- 
passable even on horseback. 
About a fortnight later there was a fresh eruption, of greater 
violence, which lasted twenty-two hours, and was accompanied by