the English name of a genus of cruciferous plants, of which several species yield useful seed. The best known and most used is Sinapis nigra (Linn.), an indigenous plant, which is extensively cultivated for its seed in some parts of England, particularly in Northumberland and Yorkshire. Large mills are employed for grinding the seed, and for converting it into flour of mustard, the condiment so universally used at our tables. Table-mustard is, however, a compound, as it would not, in the opinion of some, be agreeable in an unmixed state. (See Christison's Dispensatory.) The materials added are varied by different manufacturers according to taste. It appears, however, from the published evidence taken before the select committee on the adulteration of food in 1836, that the adulteration of mustard is so extensive, that as a medical appliance it is generally ineffective. (Dr Challice's evid., Blue Book, p. 94.) In consequence of the extreme difficulty of obtaining pure mustard, a manufactory of that article has recently been established by government in Her Majesty's victualling-yard at Deptford, so that the Royal Navy is now supplied with mustard perfectly pure. The chief adulterations are flour, turmeric, and gypsum. Turmeric is used to improve the colour of the mustard, and especially to increase the profit of the manufacturer. Its presence may easily be detected by the use of ammonia. (Guy's evidence, Blue Book, p. 103-5.) Mustard was not known at our tables in its present form till 1720, when a Mrs Clements of Durham fell upon the present mode of preparing it. Her mustard met with the approval of George I., and soon became highly popular. Mustard is also of considerable importance in the materia medica. Sinapis alba (Linn.) is also cultivated for this purpose, but not to a very great extent. It is the sort which is commonly grown with cress in our gardens as a salad herb. The genus has a very wide geographical range, some species being indigenous in Europe and others in India. In the East Indies Sinapis nigra, S. glauca, and S. Toria, are very extensively cultivated for the purpose of expressing oil from the seeds, very large quantities of which are exported to this country for the same objects under the names of rape and sursee seeds. The total imports of these seeds from India in 1856 was 21,417 quarters, all consumed in the manufacture of oil. Some of the oil so made is used for burning, but the greater portion is employed in dressing woollen goods.