Meitates means '■' Small island " as a whole ; Monach'nong means a " Place on the island," or less than the whole, as shown by the claims of the Indians in 1670, that they had not previously sold all the island. (Col. Hist. N. Y., xiii, 453.) It is the equivalent of Menach'hen, Minsi ; Menach'n, Abn., " Island," and ong, locative ; in Mass. Mimnoh-hanauke. (See Mannhonake.) Eghquaons and Aquehonga are equivalents, and also equivalents of Achquoanikan-ong, " Bushnet fishingplace," of which Acquenonga is an alternate in New Jersey. (Nelson's "Indians of New Jersey," 122.) In other words, the Indians

* The Dutch called the island Onvruchtbaar, " Unfruitful, barren." The English adopted the signification, " Barren," which soon became corrupted to " Barrent's," to which was added " Great " to distinguish it from Randal's Island, which was called " Little Barrent's Island." Barn Island is another corruption. Both islands were " barren " no doubt.

Hudson's river and its islands. 17

conveyed places on the island, including specifically their " bushnet fishing-place," and by the later deed to Lovelace, conveyed all unsold places. The island was owned by the Raritans who resided " behind the Kol," and the adjoining Hackensacks. (Deed of 1655.) Its last Indian occupants were the Nyacks, who removed to it after selling their lands at New Utrecht. (See Paganck note.) Minnahanock, given as the name of BlackweH's Island, was interpreted byDr. Trumbull from Munndhan,, Mass., the indefinite form of Munnoh, " Island," and auke, Mass., " Land " or place. Dr. O'Callaghan's " Island home," is not in the composition. (See Mannhonake.)