APPENDIX.
Lewis Page Mercier translation
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.