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some of them were formerly worked. This, however, has not been 
done of late. Attempts have been made at using lignite (found in the 
country) for fuel, but it has been found not to pay. There has, more- 
over, been some talk of working iron, copper and gold mines here, 
but as this so far has come to nothing, there is no saying whether 
working them would prove a paying pursuit. 
According to calculations it is reckoned that Icelandic wafer power 
capable of being exploited is 4 million H.P., or 40 H.P. per head of 
population, or, so far as present knowledge goes, comparatively greater 
than in any other country. Only a fraction of this enormous power 
has been harnessed during the last few years and used for lighting 
and warming purposes in towns and a few farms. 
The warm water in the hot springs is also an important source of 
energy, which in many places can be very easily utilized. It is within 
the last few years that it has begun to be used to any considerable 
extent, chiefly for the purpose of warming houses and cooking food, 
and in a few places also for warming the soil where potatoes and 
other vegetables are raised. Where this method has been employed, 
pot-herbs grow much better than elsewhere and are not exposed to 
the danger of being ruined by the summer chills. 
In the geographical sketch above we have mentioned most of those 
natural resources of the country, which are of importance to the popula- 
ion, or make the country habitable. 
(For live-stock, see article on Agriculture.)