INTRODUCTION. 13 



consequently unknown countries. The name Greenland 

 would in that event, that is, the discovery and colonization 

 of a fine and fertile soil, afterwards studded with a hundred 

 towns, have been more appropriately and significantly ap- 

 plied than to the barren peaks about Staten Hook, or Cape 

 Farewell, or such other parts of southern Greenland, as 

 must naturally present themselves first over the horizon to 

 the eye of the voyager. 



From the pen of one of the Avriters on this subject, Ave 

 are told that the name Greenland was given to the countries 

 where the Norwegians ventured to fix their settlements, in 

 contradistinction to the bleak and snow-clad mountains of 

 Iceland. Both, however, have been misapplied. If the 

 early annals of Iceland be correct, the appellation of that 

 island is derived from the immense quantities of ice an- 

 nually driven on its shores ; but no season of the year 

 presents the aspect of Greenland (with the exception of 

 rocky faces of mountains fronting a southern sun) Avithout 

 the presence of a cloak of snow, or a chilling curtain of 

 ice. It is true, the elevated lands in Greenland produce 

 in themselves such an absorption of solar heat, during the 

 summer months, as to make the atmosphere insupportably 

 sultry at certain hours, and during particular winds ; but 

 vegetation has not there sufficient life to warrant the use of 

 such an application of the epithet green, as characterizing 

 the general aspect of the country. 



