OF A NORTH-WEST PASSAGE. 
133 
stance is for the scurvy, will, perhaps, agree with me in thinking that such an 1820. 
apparatus would form a very valuable appendage to be applied occasionally 
to the cabin-stove. The mustard and cress thus raised were neces- 
sarily colourless, from the privation of light, but, as far as we could judge, 
they possessed the same pungent aromatic taste as if grown under ordi- 
nary circumstances. So effectual were these remedies in Mr. Scallon’s case, 
that, on the ninth evening from the attack, he was able to walk about on 
the lower deck for some time, and he assured me that he could then “ run 
a race.” 
On the morning of the 4th, a cross appeared about the moon, consisting of 
vertical and horizontal rays of white light, similar to those described on the 
2d, but unaccompanied by any halo. The thermometer was at —44° in the 
early part of the day ; but the wind freshening to a strong breeze from the 
northward, the temperature of the atmosphere was considerably raised, as 
usual, the thermometer having got up to —36° at ten P.M. The temperature 
of the holds in the fore-part of the ship was now generally as low as 22°, 
that of the Hecla’s lower-deck being seldom above 40°, except during the 
ships’ companies’ meals. 
The 7th of January was one of the most severe days to the feelings which Frid. 7. 
we experienced during the winter, the wind being strong from the northward 
with a heavy drift, and the thermometer continuing from —38° to —40°. 
It is impossible to conceive any thing more inclement than such a day, when 
we could with difficulty pass and repass between the two ships, and were 
glad to keep every person closely confined on board. 
At half-past five P.M. , on the 8th, the Aurora Borealis was seen forming a Sat. 8. 
broken and irregular arch of white light, 10° or 12° high in the centre, ex- 
tending from N.b.W., round by W. to S.S.E. with occasional coruscations 
proceeding from it towards the zenith. It continued thus for an hour, and 
re-appeared from eight o’clock till midnight in a similar manner, making, 
however, but a poor display of this beautiful phenomenon. Neither the mag- 
netic needle, nor the gold-leaf of the electrometer, were, in either instance, in 
the slightest degree affected by it. 
At eight A.M. on the 11th, faint coruscations of the Aurora Borealis were Tues. li. 
observed to dart with inconceivable rapidity across the heavens from W.N;W. 
to E.S.E., from horizon to horizon, and passing about 25° to the south of the 
zenith. At noon to-day, the temperature of the atmosphere had got down 
to 49° below zero, being the greatest degree of cold which we had yet 
