When Björn Gunnlaugsson started surveying in Iceland the grant from the Icelandic Literary Society was limited to one year and was on condition that the survey began in Gullbringu- and Kjósarsýsla. During the summer of 1831 he surveyed the appointed area and made a map, which was at once sent to Copenhagen with a view to publication. The Literary Society liked the map and it was decided that Björn would receive an annual grant. So he could continue the work he needed back the map of Gullbringu- and Kjósarsýsla. But in stead of regaining the original he got exact copies, drawn by hand, of his own map. If we look closely at the maps we see how Björn has tried to depict the topography correctly.