Within the large territory much remains to be done in the direction of exploration and investigation, by which the limited information regarding its occupancy by the Indians may be considerably extended.

The Rockaway, who are considered by Armbruster to have, been the Marechkawick of Brooklyn, or their near relations, were centered beyond the bounds of the Greater City at Rechquakie or Near Rockaway, their chief village having been situated at Rockville Center.

At Hewlett, which is a mile or so beyond the Queens County boundary, there Was another station (55), and we know of other settlements beyond that locality.

In the interior few traces of native life have been recorded. A station at Jamaica, which is known to have existed, may have been that of some subordinate clan. Some

INDIAN NOTES

BOROUGH OF QUEENS

traces of occupancy at Flushing attest the residence of the Matinecock.

Within the Newtown district another subordinate chieftaincy, the Mispat, resided in the region around the extensive inlet of Newtown creek, known to the natives as Mespaetches.

The name of the inlet, according to Tooker, bears some reference to a bad water place or swampy locality, which well describes the character of the borders of the creek and of its branches. The native names of three branches of Newtown creek have been preserved. Canapaukah, which seems to indicate a shut-in water place, was later Jknown as Dutch kills. This inlet extended in to the heart of Long Island City, its source being near the approach to the Queensboro bridge at Rapelye and Freeman avenues. Armbruster considers the name to indicate a bears' water place, and thinks that this was indication of Canarsee ownership.