LS53.] MUSTARD AND CRESS. 341 



y. There now remain for brewing (to be commenced, iu pursuance 

 of your directions, as soon as the hold is cleared), essence of malt, 

 780 Ibs. ; hops, -iOlbs. 



I have the honour to be, Sir, 



Your most obedient, humble servant, 



JAMES LEWIS, 



Clerk in charge. 

 ('ATTAIN SIR EDWARD BELCHEK, Kt., C.B., 



Her Majesty's Ship ' Assistance' and Commanding 

 Arctic Searching Squadron. 



Mustard and cress were also raised, under the super- 

 intendence of the same officer, whose Report also fol- 

 lows. The supply was deemed, for our condition, ade- 

 quate ; but I am not prepared to state that it would have 

 proved more than sufficient for the invalids, if we had 

 been visited by any cases of actual scorbutus ; but even 

 as a salad, of which the French sliced potatoes and dried 

 cabbage also furnished excellent substitutes, it was a 

 most grateful change to the eye, jaundiced a little by 

 want of the sun's rays. It is a curious fact however, 

 that in my cabin, daily exposed to the light of candles, 

 a decided green tint prevailed; this was grown either 

 on white cotton, wool, or blue flannel, the latter covered 

 from light. The wild sorrel might be found as a rare 

 plant about us, but, excepting to botanical collectors, we 

 did not derive any benefit from its presence, nor indeed 

 from anything belonging to the vegetable kingdom. 



Her Majesty's Ship 'Assistance,' Wellington Channel, 



October 31, 1853. 

 SIB, 



1. In compliance with your directions, to report upon the growth 

 of mustard and cress on board this ship during the last winter, I have 



