1885.] 295 ^Rljjt 



corpses or even more are in the same chamber. Such a room was once 

 found measuring four feet in length by two feet in breadth, and con- 

 taining the skulls of thirteen grownup persons and two children. 

 Several graves were found in which the number of skulls did not corres- 

 pond to the rest of the skeletons. Stiil more curious were some graves 

 carefully built but evidently never occupied by any dead. The properties 

 which were considered as belonging to a person even after death were 

 sometimes merely left at the side of the grave, sometimes lodged in separate 

 rooms. In one instance a sepulchral chamber was found containing the 

 weapons and tools of a kayak man, but no skeleton. Had these things 

 perhftps drifted ashore, when their owners had found his resting place on 

 the bottom of the ocean ? 



The East Coast op Greenland. — When compared with the districts 

 we now have treated of, little attention has been paid to the coast east of 

 Cape Farewell. Since 1828, to 1831, when Captain Graah explored the 

 coast from its southernmost point to 65° latitude, this part of Greenland, 

 still inhabited by heathen Eskimos, was not visited by exploring expeditions 

 or by foreigners until 1883. "We speak here only of the Danish part of the 

 west coast, omitting the far north beyond 70° latitude. The difficulties aris- 

 ing from the drifting ice are very great, but still they do not account for a 

 curious fact we here meet with. The coast from 65° to 70°, where Greenland 

 approaches nearest to Europe and faces Iceland, has never been visited 

 by foreigners. It is only 150 miles distant from Iceland, whose ancient 

 settlers discovered Greenland, and still the inhabitants of this very part of 

 Greenland have never seen people of other nations than their own. 

 Another consideration has prompted a survey of the east coast. The 

 ancient Norse colonies were divided into "Eastern " and " Western " set- 

 tlements. When the first ruins of them were discovered, on account of 

 their situation to the west of Cape Farewell, they were naturally supposed 

 to be the remains only of the "Western settlement." Later it was sup- 

 posed that both divisions were situated on the west side, one a little more 

 to the east than the other. 



In 1879, Captain Mourier, of the Danish navy, explored this unknown 

 coast with the schooner Ingolf for a distance of about twenty-four 

 miles. He stated that about the latitude of 65° the coast in many cases 

 could be reached and a landing eflected. Planning another expedition, it 

 was suggested to proceed in two ways. A landing might be tried to the 

 north of 70°, and then a voyage southward inside the ice barrier might be 

 eflected either by ship or by boat. The other way would be to follow the 

 steps of Captain Graah by boat along the coast from Cape Farewell. 



According to the latter plan. Lieutenant Holm, in 1833, again went to 

 Greenland, followed by Garde, Knutsen and Eberlin. The first summer 

 being intended only for preparatory arrangements, they departed from the 

 southernmost settlement with four skin boats manned with natives and 

 reached a place called Kassingertok in 61° latitude, where a hut was built 



