6 Voyage of the Novara. 



gained by this diminished bulk of water, enabled us to take 

 on board a larger cargo of coal and provisions, such as pre- 

 served beef and compressed vegetables. The sailors were not, 

 however, particularly fond of the preserved beef, because in 

 cooking it loses a great part of its flavour (though the broth 

 is strong and good) ; nor does it seem as an article of diet to 

 have had a particularly beneficial influence on the health, for 

 the sanitary condition of the crew was equally satisfactory, 

 and the number of scorbutic patients not materially in- 

 creased when, towards the end of the voyage, the fresh 

 stores were exhausted, and only salt and pickled rations were 

 issued. 



Compressed dried vegetables were of great benefit to the 

 health of our men, and cannot be sufficiently recommended. 

 The so-called melange d'equipage of Chollet, as well as sauer 

 kraut^ potatoes, and other vegetables, have an excellent taste, 

 improve the soups when mixed with them, and are easily pre- 

 served, provided they be protected from the effect of damp. 

 Hence it might be advisable to keep them enclosed in well- 

 soldered tin boxes. The price of these vegetables is so mode- 

 rate, that it is surprising they are not more generally em- 

 ployed. 



The long-continued satisfactory state of health of the crew 

 must also partly be sought for in the constant use of shower- 

 baths. For this purpose, apertures, three-quarters of an inch in 

 diameter, were bored in the planks of both the deck and fore- 

 castle, under which a perforated disc could be screwed, and 



