[31] When they see our drunken sailors quarrelling and fighting together, they say we are inhuman; that those fighters do not look upon one another to be of the same kind. Likewise, if an officer beats any of the men, they say, such officer treats his fellow creatures like dogs.
[32] The way the men wash themselves is to lick their fingers (as the cat does his paws) and rub their eyes with them to get the salt off, which the sea throws into their face. The women wash themselves in their urine, that their hair may grow, and to give it (according to their fancy) a fine smell. When a maiden has thus washed herself, their common saying is _niviarsiarsuanerks_, that is, she smells like a virgin maid. Thus washed they go into the cold air, and let it freeze, which shows the strength of their heads, and it well becomes foreigners to do so.
[33] In the summer they wear short frocks, as also in winter, when they work on the ice in the bays; but then they put a white covering over it, that they may not frighten the seals.
[34] When a man sends for his son’s bride, to be conducted to his house, if he be in good circumstances he makes a great feast; and throws out for prizes several presents of poles, rafts, knives, and other toys. The same is practised the day following after the bedding of the new-married couple. If they have children before the year is past, or if they often breed, they are blamed, and compared to dogs. A new married woman is ashamed for having changed her condition for a married state.
[35] In its inflections it agrees with the Hebrew.
[36] The angekuts say that souls are a soft matter to feel, or rather that they cannot be felt, as if they had neither sinews nor bones.
[37] The Innuæ, or inhabitants of the sea, they call Kongeuserokit; of whom they say, that they feed upon fox tails. Ingnersoit, a sort of sea sprites, which inhabit the rocks that lie upon the coast; which, they tell you, will carry away the Greenlanders, not to do them any harm, but to enjoy their company. Tunnersoit are phantoms living in the mountains; and Ignersoit, or fiery sprites (because they appear to be all over fire) live near the shore, in steep and craggy cliffs. This is that meteor which we call the Flying Dragon. Innuarolit they pretend to be a people of a dwarfish size, like pigmies, and are said to inhabit the East side of Greenland. Erkiglit, on the contrary, are said to be a nation of a huge and monstrous size, with snouts like dogs; they are likewise said to dwell on the East side. Sillagiksortok, a spirit, who makes fair weather, and lives upon the ice mountains. Nerrim Innua, or the ruler of diet, because he prescribes rules for the diet or eating of those that are obliged to keep abstinence. They ascribe also some sort of divinity to the air, and for fear of offending it they will refrain from certain things and actions; for which reason they are afraid to go out in the open air in the dark.