There is some reason to believe that by that time -also our 

 store of Eskimo traditions will have increased, so that much 

 better opportunity will be offered for weighing their historical 

 value. 



The means required for publishing this volume have been 

 granted by the Ministry for Public Education and Ecclesiastical 

 Affairs, and it was found natural to embody it in the series of 

 <MEDI)ELELSER OM GR0NUND which since 1879 have been 

 issued in Copenhagen and comprise the latest Danish invest- 

 igations in Greenland. But on the other hand , as its theme 

 can at all events interest only a very limited circle of readers, 

 it was preferred to render this contribution more accessible by 

 printing it in English. Assistance with this end in view being 

 requisite, I applied of course to my friend Dr. Robert Brown 

 who had edited two other books for me in England. As readily 

 as ever he complied with my request, to revise that part of 

 my manuscript which was not merely lexicographical. But for 

 several reasons some errors in English style may notwith- 

 standing have crept in, during the completion and printing of 

 the pages. It is therefore my hope that these circumstances 

 being understood, the writer may not unreasonably claim the 

 indulgence of his readers. 



' 



Christiania May 1887. 



H. RINK. 



