ETHNOLOGY. 29 



to end fatally o the patient, even though his ailment might not have 

 been so dangerous had proper care been taken. We know of one 

 instance where a man was thus put out to die seven different times ; but 

 he recovered and crawled back to his igloo, and looks now as if he was 

 good for a number of years yet. Stories are common of how aged and 

 infirm people are put out of the way by the younger ones, to rid them- 

 selves of a useless burden 5 but of this we know nothing from personal 

 observations, or from reliable sources. 



Occasional instances of suicide happen, generally when the person is 

 afflicted with some incurable disease. Hanging seems to be the favorite 

 mode of killing themselves. 



The ancootfs manner of operating is various, and almost every one has 

 some method peculiar to himself. We could get but a glimpse of some 

 of them, as they are averse to having a white man witness their perform- 

 ances, and we had the greatest difficulty in getting any one to explain 

 to us their meaning. The following legend is supposed to give the 

 directions for becoming an ancoot; it is interesting that this legend does 

 not differ essentially from, the Greenlander's. (Vide Grosnlands nye 

 Perlustration, Eller Xaturel-Historie, Hans Egede, 1741.) 



We would here add that those who become ancoots are only such as 

 are naturally possessed of a more penetrating mind than their fellows, 

 generally the biggest rascals in the encampment, who seldom pay any 

 attention to what is right or just, but ply their vocation so as to win for 

 themselves renown among their fellows, and possess themselves of any 

 coveted article as remuneration for their services. 



The manner in which one may become an ancoot, or angekok. 



Any one wishing to become an ancoot must go away a long distance 

 from where there is any other person. Then he must find a large stone, 

 and seat himself by it, and call on TomgarsuTc.* This spirit will then 

 make himself present to him. The would-be ancoot will at first be very 

 much frightened at the arrival and appearance of this spirit, so much 

 so that he is seized with severe pains, and falls down and dies, and re- 

 mains dead for three days. Then he comes to life again, and returns 

 home a very wise man. 



* Torngarsuk of the natives of South Greenland, and Tornarsuk of North Greenland, 

 is the highest oracle, the master spirit of these people. There are many spirits of less 

 power, called Torncet; these can be seen only by the angekoks, after their meeting with 

 Torngarsuk. It appears that this word signifies the greatest spirit of Good, as well as 

 of Evil. They now call the Devil Torngarsuk, and in their ancient belief their God, BO 

 to speak, the same. 



