Report by William J Hooker, Director of the Royal Gardens, Kew Describes the background and progress to date of the North American exploring expedition, noting delays due to ice on Lake Superior -- reprints the instructions issued to M Borgeau, botanical assistant, in collecting and preserving plant specimens, as well as objects for the Museum of Economic Botany ['whatever is curious and whatever is useful to mankind of vegetable origin'] -- specifically asks for specimens of Indian basket work, dried roots, breads, ornaments from plant matter, etc. p53. June 1857