486 GEXEKAL FOKMATIOX OF THE TSCHANTAIt ISLANDS 
after our arrival, the wooding-party returned on hoard, 
bringing with them several bundles of a most refreshingly- 
grecn-lookiiig vegetable, which they said a whaler had 
recommended to them as a grand substitute for spinach. 
It proved to bo wild rhubarb, and when cooked in the 
form of greens was any thing but unacceptable. It had 
a sharp, acrid taste, truly; but then the doctor spoke very 
sti’ongly in favour of that particular property as an anti- 
scorbutic, and one or two trials sufficed to I'econcile ua to 
the taste. We soon became very fond of it, and, before 
leaving for the Amoor Kiver, took care to cut a good 
supply. It grew in great abundance along the sides of 
the hills, and has for many years been known to scurvy- 
threatened whalers. 
The general formation of these islands is wmrthy of a 
passing notice. 
Unlike most elevated and solitary formations, they 
present no indications of owing their origin to the action 
of subterraneous convulsions. You find no bold water 
around their shores, neither do you notice the cone-like 
peaks -which generally lift themselves over a volcanic 
region. On the contrary, they are connected to the main- 
land by cpiitc moderate and regular soundings, while 
banks, and reefs, and isolated rocks, render the naviga- 
tion any thing but pleasant. The tide also -washes their 
shores with the rare velocity of from five to seven knots 
the hour, and adds its perilous uncertainty to the lesser 
dangers. Periodical gales of destructive violence also 
devastate their loixlly forests and drive the sea in foam- 
ing surf along their rocky shores. Then comes a long 
and cheerless winter, which sinks the thermometer more 
