Full resolution (JPEG) - On this page / på denna sida - The origin of the Eskimo as traced by their language - Names of animals
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4. the saddleback seal. — 5. the walrus. — 6. the
greenland whale. — 7. the white whale. — 8. the narwhal. —
9. the swordfish. — 10. the polar bear. — 11. blubber. —
12. walrus- and narwhal-teeth (ivory). — 13. whalebone. —
14. matak or eatable skin of the cetaceans. — 15. the
seal’s breathing hole in the ice. — 16. a seal lying on
the ice.
As to details it may be noted, that the saddleback seal has
a peculiar name in Greenland, unknown in the other dialects
excepting the angakok (magician’s) language in Baffin’s land.
But from Labrador, the extreme southeast, to Point Barrow in
the extreme north-west the name of this animal is the same.
In the latter locality however the same animal, so common in
Greenland, is said to be rather scarce. In a few instances the
names of seals in the same vocabulary are exchanged, probably
by mistake. Finally our list does not comprise two, or perhaps
three seals only mentioned as occurring in Alaska; one of them
is called Maklak, but it is doubtful, whether this be the name
of a peculiar species or signifies merely a large seal.
Furthermore an apparently rare seal called abba is omitted, although
occurring under this name both east and west of Cape Bathurst;
and the well known Hooded seal of southern Greenland is not
mentioned in the western vocabularies. The same is the case
with several species of whales, well known to the natives of
Greenland, though of but little value to them, excepting the
finwhale. While in this way we still possess but imperfect
knowledge about the occurrence of some species, it is evident
on the other hand, that in the first named series of species,
known to the tribes of all the chief groups, are comprised all
the principal marine animals that have served to support the
Eskimo in their struggle for existence during their life in the
arctic regions. It will be sufficient here to point out the
immense quantities of meat and fat furnished by the Greenland
whale, the white whale and narwhal, the more regular and
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