CHAPTEE XIV. 



EXCURSIONS TO SABINE AND CLAVERING ISLANDS, TO EXAMINE 

 EEMAINS OP THE ESQUIMAUX SETTLEMENTS.' 



llnt-niin.s and graves on Sabine Island.— Bone implements. — Previous 

 condition of these huts and their inhabitants. — Tent-circles. — Sole 

 traces of the Expedition of Sabine and Clavering.— Esquimaux 

 remains on Klein Pendulum. — Ethnology of Shannon. — Boat 

 journey to Clavering Island. — Clavering's statement regarding the 

 Esquimaux. — Hut-ruins and graves by Cape Mary. — Vegetation. 

 — Misadventure at night. — Further progress hindered by the ice. 

 Journey to Clavering's Esquimaux hamlet. — Luxuriant vegetation. 

 — Examination of deserted settlements. — Probable fate of the 

 original inhabitants. — Return to boat, and so to ship. 



As everywliere else, so also in the Arctic regions, tlie 

 question of the existence of a jjopulation, its civilization, 

 manner of life, habits and customs, must be as full of 

 general interest as it is of the greatest importance to 

 science. It may, therefore, be believed that we were all 

 on the look-out for the natives. 



Our eyes and thoughts, which had not yet accustomed 

 themselves to a perfectly uninhabited country, had on our 

 approach to Greenland been directed to the discovery of 

 some signs of human life — a tent, or any dark moving 

 spot ; but in vain — nothing broke the brown uniformity 

 of the lifeless landscape before us. 



' By Dr. Pansch. 



