Small additions to the Vinland Problem. 33 
that the Skrælings came in from the south. From the situation of Karls- 
efni’s camp by the lake it is clear that the arrival of the savages could 
only have been perceived after they had entered the estuary, which 
must accordingly, if the authority is to be trusted, have faced south 
rather than north”. 
It may be correct that St. Thomas lies on the south side of the 
river and therefore faces north; but it may also be correct that the 
Skrælings came from the south. They were of course discovered as they 
came from the river. When one looks down the river from the pro- 
montory outside St. Thomas the direction one looks in is north-east to 
north. So one can justly say that ships coming in from sea came from 
the north, and when the Skrælings came from the river the Northmen 
would say that they came from the south, even if the compass at St. 
Thomas pointing up the river is nearer west-south-west; but as men- 
tioned above the Northmen’s statements of direction are rather un- 
certain. 
WINTERING AT HÖP VERY DOUBTFUL. — The principal 
complaint that has been raised against Karlsefni’s Höp being identified 
with St. Thomas and which was brought forward by Gagnon, Babcock 
and others, was that in the saga it is written that they not only found 
self-sown wheat-fields and vines, but that in the winter “no snow what- 
ever came, and all of their live-stock remained in the open, finding 
their own pasture” (р. 24). The critics say that this place is quite т- 
admissible and rejectable on account of the climate and natural pro- 
ducts. Gagnon expresses serious doubt as to there being grapes of such 
quality and quantity in those parts which could entitle the Northmen 
to call this place Vinland. To this I will add a few remarks. 
Steensby states as a result of his investigations!) that Karlsefni’s 
Hôp was at St. Thomas (Montmagny) and that the Northmen’s Vinland 
was the surrounding country, and in an extensive signification the 
St. Lawrence valley. 
These are two quite different points which must be kept apart. 
Steensby has in reality only discussed the first one, and as it seems 
to me, in such a way so that none of the critics have shaken it. There- 
fore I will only add, with regard to the condition during winter, that 
possibly Karlsefni never has wintered at Нор, as “some men say” that 
they "stayed at Hop barely two months, and returned the same summer” 
(p. 25). In the saga, is previously written, after the glories of the country 
near Нор had been told of (р. 24) that “they remained there half а 
1) op. cit. pp. 185 and 201. 
LiDE, 3 
