Chapter XXXV: Appendix: Description of the Esquimaux Implements

_Figured on plates after p. 516._

1. Representation of a human figure in wood. This figure was found in a grave on Clavering Island, near Cape Mary. The shape and small size of this grave clearly indicated that of an infant. The absence of a skeleton did not surprise us, inasmuch as the bones of an infant are much more easily destructible than those of an adult. We concluded, therefore, that this figure was a child’s toy. Two similar figures, roughly carved in wood, were found by Graah on Sneedorff’s Island. They remind one forcibly of those discovered by Behring amongst the savages of the North-West coast of America, where they are held as idols, although (says Graah) they very probably, as in Greenland, are used simply as children’s toys. This opinion is also confirmed by the consideration of the religious views of the Esquimaux. The present fragment was originally more clearly distinguishable than now, as the softer projecting parts of the wood have somewhat suffered.

2. A wooden figure of some animal found among the Esquimaux huts on Klein-Pendulum. This may also have been a toy, and seems to be the imitation of a fox or perhaps an ermine.

3. This is also the representation of some animal, though what species was in the carver’s mind it is difficult to say.

4. _a_, _b_, _c_. A sledge-bone, i. e. a piece of bone which the Esquimaux fasten under the slides in place of our usual iron tires. We can see still the wooden pegs with which the fastening was accomplished. We see here also the very beautiful bores by which, instead of saws, the Esquimaux cut the bones and teeth into pieces. The finely-bored circular holes are plainly to be seen.

5. _a_, _b_. A so-called “woman’s knife” of reddish slate. We found many of these in the southern parts. To the smaller and rougher side a handle of wood or bone was attached, and fastened by means of the holes bored in it. The knife served the women chiefly for scraping the fat off the hides.

6–9. Harpoon sockets of walrus teeth, with stone heads. The harpoon is the principal weapon of the Esquimaux. At the pointed end of the wooden shaft, which is generally made of a piece of walrus-tooth, the harpoon-head (siatko) is fixed in a grove made in the stump. It is attached by means of a cord, the end of which is fastened through a hole, and it is held taut to the middle of the shaft by a simple contrivance. At the end a still sharper stone-head is fitted; such a harpoon is capable of being thrown into a seal or walrus. This being done, the head is easily loosened from the shaft, so soon as the bight of the line is detached by a slight jerk of the free end, provided only it be held tight in the hunter’s hand, or it is furnished with an inflated bladder.

10. Upper portion of a spear-head of walrus tooth, found on the shore of Klein-Pendulum.

11. Drawing of a perfect spear, after Kane.

12. One half of a Kajak rudder, found near Cape Borlase Warren.

13. A stick suitable for various purposes. It is not improbable that it was a kind of bat,[94] used by the Esquimaux lads to play with.

14. Handle for a dagger or similar implement (or weapon), found on Klein-Pendulum. It is very neatly wrought. We see the holes through which the thongs were passed, by means of which the head of bone, or tooth, was fastened to the handle.

15. Tusk of a bear, pierced at the root. Such pierced teeth were worn by the Esquimaux as ornaments, or possibly occasionally as amulets.[95]

16. An object of walrus tooth, the purport of which is unknown, and which is only depicted here in order to show the very exact and elegant workmanship.

17. _a_, _b_, _c_. Similar object, also of walrus tooth.

18. An instrument of bone which probably, fastened to a shaft, served as a hunting-weapon, or had some other purpose now unknown.

19. Needle made of bone, for sewing the Kajaks.

20. Iron knife found in an Esquimaux hut on Klein-Pendulum. The handle is of wood and grooved, and the iron blade is inserted, and then is fastened by means of thongs twisted round it.

A perfectly similar handle was found in another place, but without any iron in it.

This is the only instance of our finding iron material in North-East Greenland. Still such iron instruments must always have been very scarce. Iron is not anywhere found in the land in the form of ore, but it is real wrought iron imported.

As to its origin, two hypotheses only present themselves. Either the natives obtain it through exchange with the inhabitants of the southern districts, and these similarly obtain it from the west coast, in traffic, which, though not impossible, seems to us still very improbable;[96] or else it is a piece of the iron which Clavering, in 1823, presented to the natives in the form of knives and other implements.

THE END.

INDEX.

Akkia Island, 241, 245.

Alluk Island, 185.

Angmaksätten (herrings), 192–3, 231.

Anorak, 251.

Arctic Basin, 64–65.
Circle, 64, 277, 484, 572.
Circle, Crossing the, 46.
Climate, 440–1, 446.
Current, 51, 65, 67.
Day, 493.
Night, 371, 386, 391.
Open Sea, 351–2, 436, 531.
Sea, Boundary of, 65.
Summer, 502.
Winter, 392–3.

Ardencaple Bay and Inlet, 318–320, 434, 443, 446, 449–50, 458–59,
461–2, 502.

Arsut, 256.
Fjord, 202, 256.

Aurora Borealis, 98, 122, 140, 307, 369, 375, 380, 402, 404.

Aurora harbour, 246.

Bardsen, Ivar, 212.

Barendt’s Sea, 575–6.

Bass Rock, 301.

Bastian’s Bay, 458, 503.

Bears, 78, 97–99, 121–2, 124, 144, 147, 266–7, 314, 329–30, 348–9,
356, 395–397, 429–30, 442, 465–471, 504.

Beer, and bread-making, 259.

Beerenberg, the, 55.

Behring’s Straits, 64, 121.

Benedictine nunnery, 212.

Bennet Island, 546–7, 550.
Peninsula, 552.

Bessel Bay, 429, 431.

Black Wall, the, 462–3.

Blandings, 196, 201.

Boilers, Leakage of, 533, 538, 562, 565–567.

Bontekoe Island, 544, 563.

Börgen, Dr., his adventure with a bear, 407–411.

Botany, 204, 209, 216, 245, 343–347, 464, 475–6, 499, 502, 518–524,
530, 534, 536, 540–1, 545, 558, 562.

Brandenburg Gate, 95, 96, 101.

Brattelid, 235–6.

Breakers ahead, 571.

Bremen, 135, 153, 264.

Bremerhaven, 266, 573.

Butterflies, 484, 540.

Cairn Point, 376, 397.
Harbour, 278.

Canoes, 193. _See_ Kajak, Umiak.

Cape Barclay, 123.

---- Bennet, 478, 547, 563.

---- Berlin, 315, 323, 450, 452, 463.

---- Bismarck, 435.

---- Börgen, 289.

---- Borlase Warren, 305, 307, 356–7, 367, 380.

---- Bremen, 503.

---- Broer Ruys, 82, 476, 543, 564.

---- Buchholz, 129.

---- Copeland, 289.

---- Dan, 123, 136, 138.

---- Desbrowe, 290–1, 516.

---- Discord, 163–4.

---- Egede, 192, 203–4.

---- Farewell, 65, 171–2, 175, 181–2, 191, 239.

---- Franklin, 546–7.

---- Giesecke, 367.

---- Gladstone, 105.

---- Hamburg, 315–16, 322, 452, 477.

---- Heer, 429.

---- Heligoland, 434, 439.

---- Hvidtfeldt, 166–7.

---- Igikait, 175.

---- James, 82–3, 299.

---- Kaksimiut, 239.

---- Karl Ritter, 431.

---- Klinkerflues, 459.

---- Löwenörn, 139.

---- Mary, 357, 520–1, 581.

---- Moesting, 140.

---- Moltke, 144.

---- Nassau, 576.

---- Oswald Heer, 428–9.

---- Pansch, 533.

---- Peebach, 429.

---- Peschel, 431, 440, 442.

---- Philip Broke, 282, 286–7, 289, 291, 295, 300, 476, 496, 516,
530–1.

---- Steenbille, 144.

---- Vallöe, 166.

---- Wymond, 518.

---- Wynn, 280–1, 335, 351–2, 369, 481, 540.

Chalk Alps (Munich), 113.

Christian IV. Island, 171.

Christmas, 124–126, 382, 387–390.
Trees, 125, 387–389.

Church Point, 488, 492–3.

Clavering, Captain, 278, 282–3, 363, 370, 379, 428–9, 513, 515–16,
524, 526, 546.
Island, 351, 354, 357, 361, 363, 490, 520, 546, 557.
Straits, 313, 315, 376, 380, 451, 463, 492, 503, 506, 540.

Copenhagen, 183, 262–3.

Copenhagen, Archæological Society of, 227.

Corona, 92.

Csardas (Hungarian Dance), 227.

Cyclopian Walls, 236.

Damp, Effects of, 338.

Dan Island, 138–9.

Danes, 199–201, 209–10, 222, 224, 228, 239, 249–50, 252.

Davis’ Sound, 432, 543.
Straits, 64–5, 469, 543.

Devil’s Cape, 432–3, 439, 441.
Castle, the, 552, 554, 563.
Thumb, the, 95, 101.

Doggerbank, the, 262.

Dolphins, 42–44.

Domberg, the, 317–18.

Dove Bay, 433, 439.

Dredging, with nets, 32, 53, 87, 90, 93, 350–1, 545.

Drontheim, 38.

Dufferin, Lord, 56.

East Cape, 542.

East Greenland, open coast water does not exist, 574;
not a proper basis for reaching the North Pole, _ib._

East Island, 433.

Easter, 143.

Egede, Hans, 202.

Egede’s Land, 123.

Eiger, the (Switzerland), 361.

Eleanor Bay, 558, 563.

Emperor Francis Joseph’s Fjord, 474, 550, 561–3.

Erick Island, 236.
Fjord, 236.
Rauda, 228, 235.

Erzgebirge, the, and Harz, 178.

Esquimaux (huts, graves, implements, manners and customs, remains),
174, 178–225, 287, 291, 307, 347, 353, 363, 379, 431, 487, 508,
528;
descriptions of plates, 581–583.

---- Krätze, what, 185.

Eutin, 59.

Expedition, Plan of, 1–24;
fitting out, crews, &c., 24–27.

Expeditions, American, 578.
Austrian, 576–7.
English, 515.
German, 578.
Swedish, 578.

Falschen Bay, 323, 463.

Faröe Island, 572.

Fata Morgana, 416, 434.

Fauna, 484, 558, 578.

Fire on board the Germania, 398.

Fishermen, Dutch, 33–35, 262.
Moravian, 262.
Norwegian, 575.

Fishes, 192, 242.

Fiskernäss, 260.

Flache Bay, 305, 351–2, 367, 402, 518, 540.

Fligely Fjord, 316, 318, 320, 363, 450, 452, 455, 459, 462, 503.
Sound, 456.

Flower-basket, the, 86–87.

Fogs, 49, 57–8, 69, 99, 275, 281, 566–570.

Fossils, 504.

Foxes, 99, 124, 137, 290, 349, 442, 472–474.

Franco-German War, 240;
tidings of, 264, 573.

Franklin Peninsula, 548.

Fredericia (Schleswig), 264.

Frederickshaab, 247, 256–258.

Freeden Bay, 288, 293.

Friedrichsthal, 142, 165, 169, 172, 175–6, 181–204, 207, 211,
215–16, 227.

Frost-bites, 112, 117, 418.

Gael Hamkes Bay, 280, 299, 306–7, 310, 342–3, 354–356, 517, 520,
543.

Gammelgard, 229.

Geology, 167, 215, 289, 294, 306, 315–317, 355, 358, 361, 366,
428–9, 431–2, 435, 444, 461, 495, 535.

Germania, the, winters, 333–339.

Germania Bay, 334.
Harbour, 325, 334.

Germaniaberg, the, 325, 343, 388, 395, 400, 491, 523, 529, 539.

Glaciers, 133, 138, 140, 144, 215, 247, 255, 260, 265, 363–366,
378, 434, 488–9, 539.

Glasgow Island, 113.

Gnadau (Magdeburg), 180.

Gnats, 241–2, 247.

Good Friday, 437, 491.

Greenland, Life in, 179–182, 223, 225–227.
Music, &c., 190, 225–227.
Work, 190, 225.
Worship, 212, 239.

Grinnell Land, 578.

Griper Roads, 277.

Grossglockner, 365.

Gulf Stream, the, 38, 51, 65.

Halloway Bay, 113.

Hamburg, 264.

Hansa, Voyage of, 80–115.
Return of Crew, 116–261.

Hansa Bay, 343.
Haven, 164.

Harefield, the, 221, 226, 241.

Hares, 483, 525.

Härjulfsnäs, 196, 227.

Harpoons, 193.

Hasenberg, the, 325–327, 345, 400–1, 404, 426, 492.

Hayes, 474, 578.

Haystack, Mount, 495.
Peninsula, 428–9, 442.

Hefersteinberg, the, 492–494.

Heligoland, 572.

Helsingör, 262.

Herring Fishery, 215.

Herrnhuter Fraternity, 175–6, 226.

Hochstetter’s Promontory, 319, 426–428, 461.

Hollanderöe, 246.

Horrors, Bay of, 129.

Hühnerberg, the, 487–8, 492–3.

Hull, 153.

Ice sky, 63.
Blink, 63.
Foot, 487.

Icebergs, 123, 130, 132, 138–9, 143, 146, 151, 431, 434, 547, 561,
563.

Iceland, 65, 135–6, 572.

Igalliko, 228–238, 251.
Fjord (Eimar), 228, 235, 238–9.

Igalorsoeitsiak, 181.

Igdlopait, 182, 205–6, 211, 215–217.

Igikait, 196–7, 227.

Illuidlek, 155–157, 162, 164, 173.

Isersarnak, the, 211, 216.

Island of the World, 219.

Ivikät, 210–11, 249.

Ivimiut, 163–4.

Jackson Island, 540.

Jan Mayen, 52, 54–56, 73.

Jordan Hill, 362.
Island, 523.

Julianeshaab, 150, 182, 209, 216–7, 219, 241–245, 251–254.

Jvigtuk, 197.

Kaiser Franz-Joseph’s Fjord. _See_ Emperor Francis Joseph’s Fjord.

Kajaks, 193–195, 200, 216, 248–9, 259–60.

Kajalik, 195.

Kakorlok Fjord, 228–9.

Kaksiarsuk, 229, 259.

Kaksimiut, 247–249, 251, 253–4.

Kamiken, 181, 263.

Kane, 102, 333, 474, 578.

Kangerdleck Fjord, 165.

Kangerdlurksoeitsiak, 166.

Kaningesekasik, 166, 168.

Karisch Straits, 575.

Karsok Island, 218.

Kattegat, 262.

Kikertarsoeitsiak Island, 198.

King Charles’s Land, 576–7.

King William visits the Expedition, 24–5.

King William’s Land, 440.

Kingitok Island, 246.

Klentzer, his adventure with a bear, 395–397.

Koldewey Island, 429, 432–3.

Königin Augusta Thal. _See_ Queen Augusta Valley.

Königsbach, 175.

Kronenberg, the, 314, 451, 488, 492, 495.

Kryolite, 182, 202, 211, 249, 256, 258.

Kuhn Island, 312, 429, 450, 456, 459–461, 475–6, 486, 496, 502.

Lemmings, 347–8, 484.

Lichtenau, 182, 199, 203–219, 223.
Fjord, 166, 208.

Lichtenfels, 208, 223, 248.

Lindenau Fjord, 166.

Liverpool Coast, 105, 116, 120.

Loch Fine, 546.

Mackenzie Bay, 550.
Inlet, 544–546.
Peninsula, 552.

Malenefjeld, 256.

Matterhorn, the, 459.

McClintock, 102.

Missions and Missionaries, 175–6, 179, 184, 205–208, 217, 224, 239.

Mogul Race, 353.

Moravian Society, 183, 193.

Mosquitos, 544.

Mossel Bay, 577.

Murray Island, 105.

Musk-Oxen, 322, 325–329, 427–8, 455–457, 461, 474–477, 497–8, 503,
544.

Napersorsoak, 198 n.

Narksamiut Fjord, 175, 192, 196.

Narwhals, 81, 106, 267, 272, 485.

Natzek, 208.

Navigation, school of, 381.

Nennortalik, 182, 197, 203, 210, 220, 251.

Neptune, visit of, 46–48.

Newspaper, the East Greenland, 378–380.

New Year, 39, 126.

New Year’s Island, 128.

Nordkapers, 38. _See_ Dolphins.

Nordmeer, 37.

Norse buildings, 227, 231, 237.

Norse traditions, 184.

Norsemen, 176, 185, 196, 202–211, 212, 229.

North Cape, 64.

North Pole, 82, 309, 571–2, 575, 577–579.

North Sea, 37, 564.

Norway, 277.

Nova Zembla, 61, 65, 309–10, 575–6.

Nukarbik Bay, 142–3.
Island, 142.

Okusiksak, 215.

Olsen, 232.

Omarsuk Island, 219.

Omienarsuk Island, 163, 165.

Ornithology, 38, 41, 49–50, 63, 70, 73, 76, 82, 87, 93, 105, 137,
143–4, 275, 278–9, 347, 392, 484, 493, 505, 518–9, 525, 541–2,
544.

Ost (East) Pröven, 182.

Owak, 231.

Pamiadluk, 175.

Paraselene, 380.

Pardleet Island, 217, 245–6.

Parhelia, 92–3, 402, 417, 433.

Parry, Captain, 339.
Island, 577.

Passion Week observed, 435.

Pasterze, 365.

Pendulum Island, 83, 86, 88, 91, 278–9, 298, 301, 303–4, 306–7,
318, 326, 331, 334, 376, 402–3, 459, 486–488, 492–3, 496,
515, 529–30.
Straits, 496.

Peru Harbour, 246.

Peschel Island, 442.

Petermann Point, 561.

Pfingstkap Fjord, 165.

Polaris, the Voyage of the, 578.

Polynje, 575.

Prince Christian Sound, 168, 170, 184.

Provision holes, 514, 516;
Magazines, 525.

Pytheas, Sea-lungs of, 57.

Queen Augusta Valley, 305–6.

Ramsgate, 153.

Refraction, Effects of, 84, 139, 273–4, 294, 416.

Redekam, 229.

Reindeer, 280, 348, 476–478, 527, 544.

Rensselaer Harbour, 333.

Reynold’s Island, 105.

Rorquals, 44.

Roon Bay, 431, 433.

Ross, Captain, 338.

Ruthner, Mount, 499.

Sabine, 278–9, 515.
Island, 76, 84, 88, 91, 276, 279–80, 283, 302, 305, 308, 319,
321, 324–5, 426–7, 429, 448, 451, 491–2, 516, 529, 556.

Sattelberg, the, 305–6, 400, 459.
Peninsula, 358.

Schleswig and Holstein, 240.

Scoresby’s Sound, 116, 123, 432, 543.

Scurvy, 143.

Seals, 61–2, 70, 81, 85, 93, 144, 261, 268, 482–3.

Sedan, Battle of, 264.

Sedlevik Island, 171–173, 185.

Sermesok, 205.

Shannon Island, 86, 279, 282–289, 298–300, 308, 318–19, 334, 342,
376, 427–8, 459, 475, 531, 533, 564.
Straits, 496.

Shetland Islands, 262, 277, 572.

Siberia, 576.

Sinai, 100, 124.

Skagen, 262.

Skating, 92, 100–1.

Sledge-journeys, 155–162, 314–323, 394, 409, 464;
objects and results of, 412–432.

Sleeping-sack, 354, 419–421.

Sleeping under Tents, 419–422.

Smith’s Sound, 578–9.
Straits, 432.

Snow Blindness, 81, 150, 158, 457–8, 460, 492–3.

Snow Sphinx, 119.
Storms, 130–133, 371–376, 383–387, 403.

Spitzbergen, 61, 65, 82, 309, 577.

St. Silvester, 126, 390.

Storefjeld Mount, 221, 241.

Storm Bay, 435.

Storö, 219, 241.

Stufenberg, the, 295–6, 487, 493, 515.

Süd (South) Pröven, 182, 218, 220.

Sun, Midnight, 49;
reappearance of the, 400–402.

Tafelberg, the, 488.

Tellplatte, the, 487, 496–7, 530.
Islands, 291–293.

Temperatures. _See_ Table, p. 448.

Tents, 313, 419;
life in, 419–425.

Tent-rings, 513–4.

Tessermiut Fjord, 198 n., 205.

Teufelschloss. _See_ Devil’s Castle.

Texel, 102.

Tirol Fjord, 361–363, 367, 480.

Tnarsoit Island, 256.

Tornik, 188.

Torsukatek, Straits, 174, 256.

Umiaks, 193–195, 200, 248.

Unartok Fjord, 211.
Island, 211–12, 214.

Veegsteen, 214.

Vienna, Academy of Science, 575.

Walrus, the, 120–1, 280, 291, 357, 368–9, 478, 480–482, 487.

Walrus Island, 278, 305, 333, 341–344, 348, 376, 380, 402, 517.

Wangerooge, 572–3.

Weser River, 390, 571–573.

Whalers, 83–4, 266–7, 273.

Whales, 257, 485.

Wildspitze, the, 459.

Winter-house, Erection of, &c., 102–104, 111–114, 134–5.

Winter-quarters of the Germania, 334.

Wolves, 483–4.

Zoology, 32, 93, 271, 275, 347, 399.

GILBERT & RIVINGTON, Printers, St. John’s Square, and 28, Whitefriars Street, E.C.

FOOTNOTES:

[1] The contributions arising out of this appeal were to be forwarded to Dr. Petermann, or to the Accountant of the Expedition, Mr. G. Albrecht, in Bremen.

[2] The list of subscriptions is published in the _Geographische Mittheilungen_ by Dr. Petermann.

[3] A day is the period between the sun’s departure from and return to the same meridian. It is calculated from twelve noon to the next twelve noon.

[4] By Dr. Pansch and Capt. Koldewey.

[5] From the 10th of July to the 1st of August we registered 368 hours of fog, being seven-tenths of the whole time.

[6] Alca torda, L.

[7] Uria Brünnichii, Sab.; Uria grylle, L.; Mormon fratercula, Temm.; and Mergulus alle, Viell.

[8] A glance at the surface is not sufficient to decide the real colour of the water, as it is affected by the reflected colour of the heavens. The influence of the latter must therefore be excluded; and we therefore examined the water through a tube. A convenient arrangement for the purpose offered itself in the opening for hauling in the screw.

[9] It is said that ships are sometimes half in blue and half in green water.

[10] By comparison of the direct astronomical observations of position with the partially indirect results obtained by the reckoning of the log.

[11] Lord Dufferin and Karl Vogt were fortunate enough to catch a glimpse of the wonderful snowy peak of the Beerenberg, rising isolated to a height of 6863 feet. “My delight was that of an anchorite catching a glimpse of the seventh heaven.” (Lord Dufferin, “Letters from High Latitudes,” p. 139, 5th Ed.)

[12] Scoresby, “Account of the Arctic Regions,” i. 168. Also Churchill’s “Collection of Voyages and Travels,” ii. 367–378.

[13] We signalled--“Come within hail.” The Hansa understood--“Long stay a-peak.”

[14] This was confirmed later by the return voyage, through this water, of the Germania on the 27th.

[15] On Sabine Island, at this time, there was fair weather; the storm was therefore more of a local nature, whilst generally the Northern storms rage the whole length of the coast.

[16] By Captain Hegemann.

[17] In reckoning by miles, nautical miles must be understood, four of which go to one German mile.

[18] It must not be forgotten that Graah’s chronometer at that time had become useless. (Graah, Narrative, &c., English Translation, p. 65.)

[19] By Captain Hegemann, with the assistance of Professor Laube and W. Bade.

[20] Graah’s map gives Lat. 60° 52′ for Cape Discord. Our own measurement determined it as 61° 0′.

[21] “Another family, consisting of six individuals, was established on a point of land at Illuidlek, opposite Ivimiut.” Graah’s “Voyage to Greenland,” p. 70.

[22] Is not this coppery colour due to the lichen which overlies the granite, similar to the violet-coloured _Byssus iolithes_ of the Brocken?

[23] This is the nautical term for the summons to dinner (eight bells), and is still kept up at the seamen’s anniversary festivals in Bremen.

[24] In a particularly interesting letter from the missionaries, received by our Society on the 4th of Nov., 1871, and written by A. Gericke, Friedrichsthal, 22nd August, it is said,--“A short time since a great number of the heathenish inhabitants of the east coast of Greenland came to us to barter, as they are in the habit of doing in some years. They said that they had seen the crew of the Hansa on the ice-floe, but from terror at such an appearance on their desert shore they had not ventured to go to them.”

[25] See the detailed account of East Greenland by Graah. “Voyage to Greenland,” p. 114.

[26] By Professor Laube.

[27] “Tornik” is the plural of “Tunek,” originally the Esquimaux name for the North American Indians a word, therefore, which the Greenlanders have brought with them from North America. They apply it now to fabulous creatures, who are supposed to dwell in the interior, far from the coast. They are twice the size of men, though of human form; and they are supposed to be generally hostile, though capable at times of rendering good service. (Rink.)

[28] “Blanding” signifies a _half-breed_, and is the term commonly used by the Danes all over Greenland.

[29] The height of this mountain was stated to us to be 12,000 feet, which is considerably above the mark. The highest yet ascertained is on the north-west coast, from 6000 to 7000 feet. The highest peak (over 10,000 feet in height) was discovered by the Germania. In Southern Greenland they reach scarcely 4000 feet. In the interior, near the Tessermiut Fjord, is a mountain, to which they give the name Napersorsoak. This has now been ascended by Europeans, and according to Dr. Rink’s statement, is at the most 4000 feet high.

[30] A mineral peculiar to this locality, produced from soda, a kind of clay much used in dying, from which Aluminium [? Alumina.--Tr.] and other products may be extracted.

[31] By Professor Laube.

[32] _Betula nana_, L.

[33] _Salix herbacea_, _reticulata_, _arbuscula_.

[34] The chief place to which Kryolite is exported is Philadelphia, though some cargoes go to Hamburg, where the material is further prepared.

[35] By Professor Laube.

[36] It is a matter of great satisfaction to us that in news received from Greenland from the Inspector-General of the Danish Colony, Herr Rink, contained in a letter to Professor Laube, he expresses his regret that such a person should have been in office at the time.

[37] By Professor Laube.

[38] _Mytilus edulis_, L. The Greenland name for this mollusk is _Nilock_.

[39] A kind of wrapper made of European materials, which is drawn over the fur dress.

[40] Kamiken appears to be a Polish word for some description of fur. (Tr.)

[41] A glance at the chart will show that the Hansa, on her first advance on the 22nd of July, was nearly on the same spot, but was ice-blocked, and drifted to the south.

[42] According to our later observations the harbour time on this spot was 12h. 0m., consequently high water on this day was at 6h. 41m.; the current noticed must therefore be ascribed to some local influence, especially as the tidal wave ran to the north.--_Koldewey._

[43] The question has been raised several times, especially inland, as to why, being unable to advance along the land ice, I did not re-enter the pack and work my way through it northwards, and, in a higher latitude, again try to reach the coast. This is opposed to all experience: it has long been known that in a stream of heavy ice, in fact in the so-called pack, never, nor at any place, with the strongest and best steamer, has any considerable progress been made without the coast as a support. Had I wished to have reached the coast at a more northerly point, I should have had to penetrate the ice-barrier, again to steer along the northern border, and force my way into the pack once more in 78°. Such a proceeding would certainly never have been followed by the desired result, and it would have been unjustifiable to give up a basis, reached with so much trouble, to follow a phantom.--_Koldewey._

[44] About 940 English feet. (Tr.)

[45] The same appearance was also noticed by some of the Hansa men at the beginning of November.

[46] By Captain Koldewey.

[47] I. e. Queen Augusta Valley. (Tr.)

[48] By Captain Koldewey and Lieutenant Payer.

[49] This Fjord had for the most part been free from ice in the summer. The heat in the two summer months is here so great that it will melt ice of seven feet thickness, which is not possible in the outer coast in these latitudes. The ice outside the Fjord remained firm all the summer.

[50] This fuel had to be sought under fresh fallen snow, whereby I had a finger frost-bitten.

[51] By Dr. Pansch.

[52] I. e. Tide-hole. (Tr.)

[53] _Myodes torquatus_, Pall. “It can only be classed as a very rare and local (possibly accidental) member of the Fauna of Greenland, as it has never since being found in the country.”--_Proceedings of Zoological Society of London_, 1868, p. 349.

[54] By Dr. Pansch.

[55] Beaufort scale of 0–12. Nine would indicate a rate of fifty-six miles per hour.

[56] By these must be understood German _geographical_ miles, each of which is equal to one-fifteenth of a degree.--Tr.

[57] December 31, Festival of Silvester, Bishop of Rome.

[58] By Dr. Pansch.

[59] From the slight effects produced by the bite of the animal, it would appear that it was not full grown.

[60] This fur glove had so successfully resisted the gnawing of the bear, that Börgen had some difficulty in finding where the incisors of the brute had penetrated, and was able to wear it again without its being mended. “The furrier, Jahns, is still living in Bremen,” writes Dr. Copeland.

[61] Similarly Livingstone, who, on being torn by a lion, tells us “There was no sense of pain nor feeling of terror. It was like what patients partly under the influence of chloroform describe, who see all the operation, but feel not the knife.”--Missionary Travels, S. Afr., p. 12.

[62] After Dr. Börgen had been for some time under Dr. Pansch’s hands, he remembered that he had the pocket-chronometer (one of Felsing’s, of Bremen) with him; so, as it had not come on board, Dr. Copeland and a guard went in search of it, and found it fast frozen to the surface of the ice. It had gone on for some time after its fall, but had stopped at last, owing to the intensity of the cold. After warming it in the hand, it went on again for some seconds.

[63] Börgen’s wounds healed and cicatrized rapidly. His youth and vigorous constitution enabled him to throw off all the evil effects of the bear’s seizure.

[64] By Lieut. Payer.

[65] Snow spectacles, on account of their fragility and metal mountings, are particularly undesirable, as in intense cold they burn the skin. Spectacles of india-rubber we found the best, completely enclosing the eye, which is protected by very fine wire gauze.--_Börgen._

[66] From loading and unloading the sacks, the hard bread carried with us falls by degrees into dust.

[67] i. e. Secondary. (_Tr._)

[68] _Bessemer-fluth_ in the original. (_Tr._)

[69] Ellinger, with his aspirations and intelligence, might have become a great support to the German Arctic Expedition, but he unfortunately died shortly after its return. In December, 1870, he left Rotterdam on a Dutch ship for Savannah, and after eleven days’ fever, in the hospital of that place, he died on the 26th February, 1871. Besides Payer every one connected with the Expedition gave him the most excellent character. In the official report of the Committee for the North German Expedition, in Bremen, on the 15th of July, 1871, it runs thus:--“Captain Koldewey and Dr. Copeland made honourable mention of Peter Ellinger, sailor on board the Germania during the second German Expedition, and who is lately dead. The death of this young man--he was only twenty-four--is still more to be deplored, as his whole conduct during that time led us to suppose that he would eventually prove an ornament to the German navy, not only from his cleverness in all seaman’s work, but also for his great interest in all nautical science. He thirsted for knowledge, and was very successful in meteorological and magnetic observations, and also took part in surveying; and being employed in all great undertakings, deserves the utmost thanks at the hands of the Expedition.”

[70] In the interior they cannot exist, as the icing of the straits, and the consequent departure of their only means of support, the walrus and the seal, compels them to live on the coast.

[72] By Lieut. Payer.

[73] “Aussingen” is a seaman’s term for a peculiar rhythm, in time to which the men pull.

[74] A cloudy atmosphere greatly favours this disease of the eyes, as objects disappear, which serve as a resting-point or change.

[75] By Lieut. Payer and Dr. Copeland.

[76] In Greenland language, _Nennok_.

[77] The most northerly point at which a bear has been met with is 81° 30′ N. Lat. It was killed by some of Parry’s men on the pack-ice.

[78] It will be interesting to notice that the bear killed on the 7th of July, after having a ball ¹⁄₁₆ lb. through both lungs and the thickest part of the heart, ran forward with powerful leaps for at least sixty yards before it fell dead.

[79] Scoresby reports that once on the coast of Greenland he saw 100 bears, of which at least twenty might have been killed.

[80] In Greenlandish, _Terienniak_ and _Kakaka_.

[81] Between which there are varieties or cross-breeds.

[82] In Greenland language, _Umingmak_.

[83] The wool of a musk-ox would fill a moderate-sized pillow.--_Tramnitz._

[84] The flesh of one of these animals not too old was quite free from this taste, and could not be distinguished from our European beef; and the milk, which I also tasted, was similar to the best European cow-milk.--_Tramnitz._

[85] In the beginning of August, 1870, on the top of Cape Franklin, Copeland observed traces of musk-oxen in the snow at a height of 4875 feet above the level of the sea, and on the 15th of September Copeland and Wagner saw bear-tracks on the back of the Hasenberg, 1950 feet high.

[86] By Dr. Copeland and Dr. C. Börgen.

[87] By Dr. Pansch.

[88] By Captain Koldewey.

[89] By Captain Koldewey, Dr. Pansch, and First-Lieutenant Payer.

[90] By Captain Koldewey, First-Lieutenant Payer, and Dr. Pansch.

[91] And yet on the southern side of a block of rock we found melted ice-water.

[92] By Captain Carl Koldewey.

[93] It consists of one or more unimportant islands of no great size.

[94] (?) Hocky, or bandy-stick. (_Tr._)

[95] This conjecture is supported by the fact, that in Ocean I., one of the Kingsmill group in the South Pacific Ocean, a similar custom prevails. Human teeth, thus bored, are used by the native women as necklaces. (_Tr._)

[96] See Parry’s Journal, p. 286.

Transcriber’s Notes:

1. Obvious printers’, punctuation and spelling errors have been corrected silently.

2. Where hyphenation is in doubt, it has been retained as in the original.

3. Some hyphenated and non-hyphenated versions of the same words have been retained as in the original.

4. Italics are shown as _xxx_.