The syllable pon may denote a bulbous root which was found there. (See Passapenoc.) The same name is probably met in Saphorakain, or Saphonakan, given as the name of a tract described as " Marsh and canebrake," lying near or on the shore of Gowanus Bay, Brooklyn. (See Kanonnewage, in connection with Manhattan.) Nahtonk, Recktauck, forms of the name, or of two different names, of Corlear's Hook, may signify, abstractively, " Sandy Point," as has been interpreted; but apparently, Nahtonk^ is from Na-i, "a point or corner," and Recktauck from Lekau (Requa),

* " Through tliis valley pass large numbers of all sorts of tribes on their way north and east." (Van Tienhovcn, 1650.) "Where the Indians cross to bring their pelteries.'' (De Laet, 1635.) The crossing-place is now known as Pavonia. The path crossed the Spuyten Duyvil at Harlem and extended along the coast east. To and from it ran many '' paths and roads " on Manhattan, which, imder the grant to Van Twiller, were to " forever remain for the use of the inhabitants." The evidence of an Indian village at or near the landing is not tangible. The only village or settlement of which there is an}' evidence was that which gathered around Van Twiller's plantation, which was a noted trading post for " all sorts of tribes." ^Bestevaar (Dutch) means "Dear Father," and Manetta (Manittoo, Algonquian), means, "That which surpasses, or is more than ordinary." Water of more than ordinary excellence. (See Manette.) ' Naghtonk (Benson); Nahtonk (Schoolcraft); Rechtauck (record). It was to the huts which were located here to which a clan of Long Island Indians fled for protection, in February. 1643, and were inhumanly murdered by the Dutch. The record reads : " Where a few Rockaway Indians from Long Island, with their chief, Niande Nummcrus, had built their wigwams." (Brodhead.) "And a party of freemen behind Corlear's plantation, on the Manhattans, who slew a large number and afterwards burned their huts." The name of the Chief, Niande Nniiniicrus, is corrupted from the Latin Nicanda Numericus, the name of a Roman gens- De Vries wrote, " Hummerus, a Rockaway chief, who I knew."