264 W. THALBITZER. 
which answers to WGr. as'a't ‘their hands, fingers’, as regards the water- 
beetle this must mean ‘its antennae’ or ‘its forelegs.’ Possibly the explanation 
is that Akernilik spoke about the animal’s legs or claws, and Keersagaq about 
its antennæ (which had to be understood as a kind of ‘curtain’). If a person 
has the claws of the water-beetle for fingers, it is that he may scratch with 
them, and thereby frighten away the pursuing evil spirits. If the meaning is 
that the man has a ‘curtain’ (or two) for his hands, it is that this may hide 
or shut him off from the same pursuers. Both explanations can make good 
sense here. — 2 and 5. terge'palik (or -Пад) is a beetle which lives in lakes. 
Possibly a water-beetle (Columbetes) is meant, which is found in Greenland 
in two smaller forms, but another kind of beetle (a ‘whirler’?) might also 
be meant. 
B. 
ea ea 
iker mana näl’”ariga mana 1 This sound, I have just arrived right 
outside it (in my kaiak). 
ea ea 
i) 
co" ata ni ateqarpoa Whose hands have I myself for hands? 
ea ea 
tergin aliap at-anin ategarpoa 3 The former water-beetle’s hands have 
I for my hands, 
ea ea 
nalinin’aliap at'a'nin ateqarpoa 4 The former Greenland seal’s hand 
have I for my hands, 
ea ea 
kanen uia‘isup'ara | 5 The promontory, I long to round it. 
ea ea 
NOTES. — 4. Kuannia thought that the word пашуитга, the East Green- 
landers’ name for the tabooed a‘ta‘q,-should here be taken in its original 
meaning: ‘anything whatever’ (any animal’s whatsoever), but this seems 
meaningless. In the Ammassalik language it has а double meaning, viz., 
1) ‘one or another whatsoewer, 2) Greenland seal. 
No. 73. Hunting in Kaiak after Mourning. 
Keersagaq. 
Magic song for the mourner when, for the first time after a death, he 
goes down to his kaiak intending to sally forth. It is an expedient to secure 
speed and a fine catch on the journey (ilinerce't sarqariara те). 
ea ea titserpoa 1 I drift sideways before the wind (in 
my kaiak), 
sot tikip'a ma 2 Who comes to me? 
ea ea kiYkuliåc:a't tikip:a ga 3 The common seals come to me. 
ea ea ШЁ:*егроа 4 I drift sideways before the wind, 
