A Description of Greenland

by Hans Egede

A

DESCRIPTION

OF

GREENLAND.

SHEWING

The Natural History, Situation, Boundaries, and Face of the Country; the Nature of the Soil; the Rise and Progress of the old Norwegian Colonies; the ancient and modern Inhabitants; their Genius and Way of Life, and Produce of the Soil; their Plants, Beasts, Fishes, &c.

WITH

A new Map of GREENLAND.

AND

Several Copper Plates representing different Animals, Birds and Fishes, the Greenlanders Way of Hunting and Fishing; their Habitations, Dress, Sports and Diversions, &c.

 

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By Mr. Hans Egede,
Missionary in that Country for twenty five Years.

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Translated from the Danish.

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LONDON:
Printed for C. Hitch in Pater-noster Row; S. Austen in Newgate-Street; and J. Jackson near St. James's Gate.
MDCCXLV.

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THE

CONTENTS.

DEDICATION.
PREFACE.
MAP.
CHAP. I.
	TReats of the Situation and Extent of Greenland,	Page 1
CHAP. II.
First Settlement of Greenland, with some Thoughts on the Norwegian Colonies Extinction; and whether on the East Side no Remainders may be found of the old Norwegians: also, whether the same Tract of Land cannot be recovered,		7
CHAP. III.
Treats of the Nature of the Soil, Plants and Minerals of Greenland,		42
CHAP. IV.
Of the Nature of the Climate, and the Temperament of the Air,		51
CHAP. V.
Of the Land Animals, and Land Fowls or Birds of Greenland; and how they hunt and kill them,		59
CHAP. VI.
Of the Greenland Sea Animals, and Sea Fowl and Fishes,		65
CHAP. VII.
Treats of the ordinary Occupations, as Hunting and Fishing; of the Tools and Instruments necessary for these Employments: Of the House Implements and Utensils, &c. of the Greenlanders,		100
CHAP. VIII.
Treats of the Inhabitants, their Houses, and House Furniture,		113
CHAP. IX.
The Greenlanders Persons, Complexion and Temperament,		118
CHAP. X.
The Customs, Virtues and Vices, and the Manners or Way of Life of the Greenlanders,		122
CHAP. XI.
Of their Habits, and Way of Dressing,		129
CHAP. XII.
Of their Diet, and manner of dressing their Victuals,		133
CHAP. XIII.
Of their Marriages, and Education of their Children,		138
CHAP. XIV.
How the Greenlanders mourn and bury their dead Friends,		148
CHAP. XV.
Their Pastimes and Diversions, as also their Poetry,		151
CHAP. XVII.
Of their Language,		163
CHAP. XVIII.
Of the Greenland Trade, and whether in promiting it, there is any Advantage to be expected,		175
CHAP. XIX.
The Religion, or rather Superstition, of the Greenlanders,		179
CHAP. XX.
The Greenlanders Astronomy, or their Thoughts concerning the Sun, Moon, Stars, and Planets,		202
CHAP. XXI.
The Capacity of the Greenlanders, and their Inclination towards the Knowledge of God, and the Christian Religion; and by what Means this may easily be brought about,		209

 

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