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A Key Into the Language of America, or an Help to the Language of the Natives in That Part of America Called New-England / Together with Briefe Observations of the Customes, Manners, and Worships, &c. of the Aforesaid Natives, etc. cover

A Key Into the Language of America, or an Help to the Language of the Natives in That Part of America Called New-England / Together with Briefe Observations of the Customes, Manners, and Worships, &c. of the Aforesaid Natives, etc.

Chapter 55: CHAP. XVII.
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About This Book

The work presents a practical lexicon of Indigenous words from New England, offering English equivalents, pronunciation hints, and variant spellings alongside brief notes on usage. Entries are arranged in dictionary-style lists and paired with concise observations about local customs, social practices, place names, and forms of worship, often illustrated by examples and cross-references. Interspersed commentary reflects the compiler's encounters and aims to aid communication and comprehension between English speakers and the native population. The text also includes introductory material on method and occasional polemical or explanatory remarks about cultural differences.


CHAP. XVII.

Of Beasts, &c.

Penashímwock, Beasts.
Netasûog, Cattell.

Obs: This name the Indians give to tame Beasts, yea, and birds also which they keepe tame about their houses.

Muckquashím-wock, Wolves.
Moattôqus, A blacke Wolfe.
Tummòckquaûog, } Beaver, Beavers.
Nóosuppaûog,   }
Súmhuppaûog, Beaver, Beavers.

Obs: This is a beast of wonder; for cutting and drawing of great pieces of trees with his teeth, with which and sticks and earth I have often seen, fair streams and rivers damm’d and stopt up by them: upon these streames thus damm’d up, he builds his house with stories, wherein he sits drie in his chambers, or goes into the water at his pleasure.

Mishquáshim, A red Fox.
Pequawus, A gray Fox.

Obs: The Indians say they have black Foxes which they have often seen, but never could take any of them: they say they are Manittóoes, that is, Gods; Spirits or Divine powers, as they say of every thing which they cannot comprehend.

Aûsup-pánuog, Racoone, Racoones.
Nkéke, nkéquock, Otter, Otters.
Pussoúgh, The wildcat.

Ockqutchaun-nug, A wild beast of a reddish haire about the bignesse of a Pig, and rooting like a Pig; from whence they give this name to all our Swine.

Mishánneke-quock, Squirrell, Squirrils.
Anéqusanéquussuck, A little coloured Squirril
Waûtuiiques, The Conck.

Obs: They have a reverend esteeme of this Creature, and conceive there is some Deitie in it.

Attuck, quock, } Deere.
Nóonatch noónatchaug,  }
Moósquin, A Fawn.
Wawwúnnes, A young Bucke.
Kuttíomp & Paucottâuwaw, A great Bucke.
Aunàn-quunèke, A Doe.
Qunnequáwese, A little young Doe.
Naynayoûmewot, A Horse.
Côwsnuck, Cowes.
Gôatesuck, Goates.
Hógsuck,
Pìgsuck, Swine.

Obs: This Termination suck, is common in their language and therefore they adde it to our English Cattell, not else knowing what names to give them;

Anùm, A Dog.

Yet the varietie of their Dialects and proper speech within thirtie or fortie miles each of other, is very great, as appears in that word.

Anùm, The Cowweset. }
Ayím, The Narriganset. }     Dialect.
Arúm, The Qunnippiuck. }
Alùm, The Neepmuck. }

So that although some pronounce not L, nor R, yet it is the most proper Dialect of other places, contrary to many reports.

Enewáshim, A Male.
Squáshim, A Female.
Moòs-sóog, The great Oxe, or rather a red Deere.
Askùg, A Snake.
Móaskug, Black Snake.
Sések, Rattle Snake.
Natúppwock, They feed.
Téaqua natuphéttit? What shall they eat?
Natuphéttitch yo sanaukamick, Let them feed on this ground.

The generall Observation of the Beasts.

The Wildernesse, is a cleere resemblance of the world, where gredie and furious men persecute and devoure the harmlesse and innocent as the wilde beasts pursue and devoure the Hinds and Roes.

More particular.

1. The Indians, Wolves, yea, Dogs and Swine
I have knowne the Deere devoure,
Gods children are sweet prey to all;
But yet the end proves sowre.
2. For though Gods children lose their lives,
They shall not loose an haire;
But shall arise, and judge all those,
That now their Judges are.
3. New-England’s wilde beasts are not fierce
As other wild beasts are:
Some men are not so fierce, and yet
From mildnesse are they farre.