Great Store of Drift-wood, or Float-wood, is every Year cast up on their Shores, brought down by the Northern Winds, which serveth them for Fewel, and other Uses, the greatest Part whereof is Firr.
Of Bears there are none in the Country, but sometimes they are brought down from the North upon Ice, while they follow Seales, and so are carried away. Two in this Manner came over, and landed in the North of Island this last Year, 1662.
No Conies, or Hares, but of Foxes great Plenty, whose White Skins are much desired, and brought over into this Country.
The last Winter, 1662, so cold, and lasting with us in England, was the mildest they have had for many Years in Island.
Two new Eruptions with Slime and Smoak, were observed the last Year in some Mountains about Mount Hecla.[322]
Some hot Mineral Springs they have, and very effectual, but they make but rude Use thereof.
The Rivers are large, swift, and rapid, but have many Falls, which render them less Commodious; they chiefly abound with Salmons.
They sow no Corn, but receive it from Abroad.
They have a kind of large Lichen, which dried, becometh hard and sticky, growing very plentifully in many Places; whereof they make use for Food, either in Decoction, or Powder, some whereof I have by me, different from any with us.