20 NEW LAND. 



On August 2 we shaped our course from Godhavn to TJper- 

 nivik, which we reached on the evening of August 4. On the 

 way we saw our first whale, which the members had a good 

 opportunity of observing closely. The scenery at Upernivik is as 

 desolate and wild as at most places in Greenland, and the settle- 

 ment lies right out on the open sea, exposed to wind and weather. 

 Its mean temperature in May is nearly three degrees Fahrenheit 

 lower than that of Copenhagen in January, and the sun does not 

 rise for seventy-nine days in the year. Even in July the mercury 

 may fall to freezing-point ; snow falls at all seasons of the year, 

 and in April the thermometer often shows four degrees below 

 zero ; but, then, Upernivik lies rather far north, in lat. 72 55'. 



According to Dr. H. Eink, the settlement brought in annu- 

 ally, about the years 1850 to 1860, an average of 868 barrels 

 of blubber, 4840 seal-skins, 942 reindeer-skins, 30 bear-skins, 

 and from 100 to 200 Ibs. of eider-down, merchandise to the 

 value of 20,000 rix-dollars. On the western end of the island, 

 on which Upernivik is situated, is found the largest nesting-place 

 in North Greenland. The birds are said to breed there in 

 fabulously large numbers, and great quantities of eggs are col- 

 lected annually. From Eink's figures will be seen what are the 

 Greenlanders' most important avocations, both here and in 

 the other settlements. At some places, however, fishing is also 

 carried on. 



In Upernivik, too, the Trade had bought up about thirty dogs 

 for us ; but as there had been infectious disease among them in 

 the winter, I thought it would be too great a risk to take any 

 of them. 



Next morning we steamed northwards. The sea was perfectly 

 calm, and the sun was shining brightly, as if it meant to make 

 up for its neglect earlier in the summer. While we were stand- 

 ing on deck, thoroughly enjoying existence, we saw some 

 whales appear just ahead of the vessel. They were grampuses, 

 a small species of whale renowned for its rapacity and 

 boldness. It will attack the largest whales, tearing great 

 pieces of blubber out of their sides with its formidable teeth 

 whence its Norwegian name of ' spsekhugger,' or 'blubber- 



