history, which has been rendered, with profusion, to Herodotus, many of whose accounts have been considered as fabulous, until they were entirely confirmed after having been submitted to a more careful analysis.

To ascertain, what Sturleson advanced, several recent travellers will have observed, that various species of grapes grow wild in North America; and Schoening has given various testimonies, with regard to this subject, in his history of the north, stating that these grapes were particularly produced in great quantity in Virginia; and there is not the least room for doubt, but the Americans make a species of wine of wild grapes, which demonstrates the veracity of Sturleson's narration.

Besides Sturleson relates, that wheat likewise grew spontaneously in the new discovered country. We suppose that he understood corn or zea, mays, Linn. which is produced almost in any part of America, and this appears so evident that there is no necessity of having recourse to any other explanation; as Kalm has done, who believes that this wheat was nothing else but elymus arenarius, Linn. which is found all along the North American coasts up to Newfoundland, and which at a distance, has some resemblance to fields of grain.*

Sturleson further observes, that our navigators found a species of wood, which they called mosur, and which was of such a size, as to be used in the construction of their house. Now, it is generally known, that both in the Swedish language, and in that of Iceland, the betula saxatilus, Linn. is still called masur or mosur, from which we infer, that the species they made use of, belonged to the birch trees, of which many varieties are produced in North America.

With the returning spring our intrepid navigators determined to go back to Greenland. They provided a whole cargo of the above mentioned articles, and went to sea. They

* There is no corn growing spontaneously throughout America; Kalm's opinion must be considered as correct.-S.

arrived in their country, without visiting Helluland and the remaining shores. From this circumstance we can easily perceive, that the northern Vikinge were very expert mariners, and that they ventured to cross the ocean, without any of the nautical instruments of latter invention, and that they did not sail along the coasts, like the navigators of the southern parts of Europe.

After this expedition, Leife Erikson remained with his father at Brattehlid, situated near Eyriksfiord. But the news of his new discovered countries, Landafundi, as they called them in their language, was soon generally diffused, which induced several of the settlers of Greenland, to participate in these voyages of discovery.

Thorwald Erikson, brother of Leife Erikson, first visited Wineland after him. He assembled thirty companions and went to sea. He arrived, without any accident, in Wineland, and during the spring he visited the coasts. Thorwald first landed in a boat with some of his companions, to examine the shore. It was very pleasant and covered with forests, and, as Sturleson adds, the shore itself was covered with white sand, just so, as Leife Erikson had observed it, and as the coasts of North America are still described. In front of the shore there were many islands, reefs and shallows. There were neither here, nor on an island, situated more to the westward, traces of men or animals to be perceived; but on the island there was however a hut, the work of our species. The ensuing summer our adventurers continued to explore the coasts and islands; and, according to Sturleson, they particularly directed their excursions to the west. Then they resolved to examine the northern and eastern shores, to which purpose they fitted out their vessel, instead of the boat they had used in their former nautical expeditions along the coasts. In this second summer they sailed into a bay, surrounded by woody hills. They landed and found the environs so delightful and advantageous, that Thorwald Erikson resolved to

make a settlement in that place. But they had hardly returned on board the vessel, when they perceived three boats, steering towards them. In each of the boats, there were three inhabitants of the country, whom Sturleson called Skralinger, a denomination under which the Esquimaux were known to the settlers of Greenland; as we learn from the Sagas of Ame Frode and others. Besides, the same documents contain a description of those wild tribes, which perfectly agrees with what we have learned, in recent times, from Kalm and Mackenzie. These polar men, who were in greater number at that period than at present, were of a small size; they were hideous, lived in caves, used arrows, and had boats of skins, called Cajaken. Instead of waiting with composure for the arrival of the Skralinger, Thorwald Erikson and his companions prepared to fight, and the issue was, that all the savages but one, who escaped in his boat, were made prisoners.

Having happily escaped the dangers which threatened them, our adventurers, again went on shore, and being very much fatigued, they laid down to repose; when, all of a sudden, they were roused by the cries, that Skralinger had arrived in great number, to renew the conflict. In consequence they immediately returned to their vessel, preparing to defend themselves, and the savages were soon routed. But, during the action, Thorwald Erikson was mortally wounded with an arrow, and, according to his own desire, he was entombed on the same spot, where he intended to form a settlement. The ensuing spring, the vessel having been loaden with indigenous productions, our heroes returned home, and arrived, without any further accident, at Eyriksfiord in Greenland, where Leife Erikson resided, and to whom they had' very important news' to communicate.

Thorstein Erikson, the third brother of Leife Erikson, undertook afterwards another expedition to Wineland, which terminated fatally. He was cast away on the western coast

of Greenland, where he, and the greater part of his companions perished. In the meanwhile, this event did not intimidate Thorfin Karlsefne, a very rich man, as Sturleson says, who immediately fitted out another expedition to Wineland. It must be observed, that the settlers of Greenland considered this new land, as a promised country, where riches and honour were to be earned. Thorfin, who had lately returned from Norway to Greenland, married the widow of Thorstein Erikson. He embarked with his wife and fifty companions, among whom there were five more women; and many other settlers having joined this expedition of their own resolution, Thorfin became commander of three vessels with one hundred and forty individuals. In departing from Greenland, he had more extensive views, than his predecessors. Besides, the number of companions was greater, and the whole expedition appeared to set off with the intention of forming a settlement; for Sturleson mentions expressively, that they provided furniture of every kind, and that they had agreed to divide the land and its productions, at equal shares, amongst them. Thorfin and his suite landed in Wineland, and took possession of the house, which Leife Erikson had constructed, where their furniture could easily be lodged. Besides, the country offered to our navigators an abundance of various provisions; but, particularly fruits and fishes. A large whale, cast on shore by the flood, was a welcome present; but they did not like the meat. The natives, Skralinger, did not show themselves during the winter; but they appeared in spring, and seemed to be of a more friendly disposition. They offered skins and fur, which they wished to exchange for foreign articles. They particularly admired red cloth, which they preferred for head ornaments. But, above all, they wished to barter arms, which Thorfin Karlsefne had prohibited; and, with the view, not to interrupt the friendly dispositions of the natives, he ordered some milk to be sent to them, with which they were extremely pleased. This visit however in

duced Thorfin to act with more prudence for the future, and he surrounded his habitation with a plank work, to prevent sudden attacks. Towards the beginning of the winter, the natives appeared in greater number with a desire of bartering; but one of them having unfortunately been killed, in consequence of an attempt he made to appropriate to himself the arms of one of Thorfin's companions, the friendly intercourse, which had subsisted to that moment, was immediately interrupted, and a conflict ensued, in which the natives were defeated. These disturbances made the stay of our navigators, in a foreign country, very precarious, and they seriously thought of returning home. They carried away a rich cargo of fur and birch wood, and went to Greenland. Various other circumstances, concerning this expedition, are contained in Erik Raude's Saga, where it is stated, that Thorfin Karlsefne, after an abode of three years on the distant coasts of Wineland, had returned home, accompanied by three child.. ren, natives of that country, who were brought up in the doctrines of Christianity. According to the accounts these children gave, the Skralinger were, at that time, under the dominion of two kings, Avaldemon and Valdividia; they also mentioned countries, situated more in the interior.

About that time, expeditions to Wineland began to be considered as very profitable; but they appear, in a certain measure, to have remained in the exclusive possession of the family of Leife Erikson. His sister, Freydisa Eriksdotter had resolved to undertake a similar voyage, in company with Helge and Finnboge, two brothers and natives of Iceland, who had lately arrived, in their own vessel, from Norway in Greenland. Both parties had agreed to make the voyage to Wineland in their own vessels, and to engage an equal number of companions. They arrived, without any accident, in Wineland; where they found that Freydisa, contrary to the agréement, had engaged five men more in her vessel. This circumstance immediately created suspicion between both