18
The Natural Hiſtory
Year ago, they found an Oar upon the Eaſtern Shore of Iceland, whereon theſe Words were carvved in Runick Characters: Oft var ek daſcedar ek dro dik, which ſignifies, often was I tired, when I carried thee. Beſides this, I find a Relation in a German Writer, whoſe Name is Blefkenius's Story of a Monk, Native of Greenland.Dithmarus Blefkenius, concerning a certain Monk, born in Greenland, who, as Companion to the Biſop of the Place, in the Year 1546 made a Voyage into Norway, where he lived until the Year 1564, and where, the Author ſays, he got acquainted and perſonally converſed with him. This Monk told him many ſtrange and ſurprizing Things of a Dominican Convent in Greenland, called St. Thomas's Convent; to which his Parents ſent him in his Youth to become a Monk of that Order. But the Truth of this Relation is very much queſtioned, being together with ſeveral others of Blefkenius's Relations Is refuted by Arngrim, an Author of Credit.refuted and gainſaid by Arngrim in his Treatiſe intitled Anatome Blefkeniana. Blefkenius's Relation is nevertheleſs confirmed by ſeveral other Authors. Eraſmus
