NOTES FROM AN ARCTIC JOURNAL.
By H.W. Feilden, F.G.S., C.M.Z.S.
(Continued from p. 320.)
On anchoring in the harbour of Godhavn (called Lievely by the English whalers) we found that H.M.S. 'Valorous' had preceded us; and shortly afterwards our consort, the 'Discovery,' came in, and anchored alongside. The following week was occupied in transferring supplies from the 'Valorous' to the two ships forming the Expedition ; and the opportunity afforded by this delay of making myself acquainted with the neighbourhood was utilised as much as circumstances permitted.
The district of Godhavn comprises the southern and western shores of Disco Island and the Kronprins Island (Whalefish Island), in Disco Bay. In 1870 the number of inhabitants was two hundred and forty-five, of whom one hundred and thirteen belong to the settlement of Godhavn, which is built upon a low, ice-polished peninsula of gneiss, and forms the eastern side of the excellent harbour. It is the residence of the inspector of the northern districts of Danish Greenland, and, owing to the accessibility of the port, has been a favourite rendezvous of Arctic Expeditions. Some of the Scotch whaling-fleet, proceeding to the Lancaster Sound fishery, annually make a point of calling at Godhavn on the way north; so that in addition to the two mails forwarded by the regular trading brigs from Copenhagen, the Danish officials at Godhavn receive an extra budget of news by the Dundee steam-whalers. It was very gratifying to find that Mr. Krärup Smith, the intelligent inspector of North Greenland, took great interest in the Natural History of his extensive domain. Though overburdened by the duties of his office, and the immense amount of extra labour thrown on him by the arrival of our Expedition, he arranged a visit for us to the cliffs of Uifvak, and with great generosity allowed me to select a very considerable portion of his archaeological collection, which on our return to England was deposited in the British Museum.
The Danish residents in the Greenland settlements live in good wooden houses, the limber of which they are built having been brought from Europe. The houses of the natives at Godhavn are considerably modified from the original type of native "igloo;"
