side of the branches. Calyx of five rounded, spreading, 
green leaves. Corolla of usually six, between oval and 
rounded, white, spreading petals, in two or three series, of — 
which the outer are the smallest and greenish, the inner — 
gradually larger, and of a clearer white, slightly wavy. — 
Stamens very numerous, fixed to the base of the petals, so 
that in fact there are several bundles, though, from their 
proximity, they seem to form one mass. Filaments slender. — 
Anthers rotundato-reniform, opening at the sides, yellow. 
Germen ovate, downy, surrounded by a fleshy ring at the — 
base, slightly downy, three-celled, each cell containing 
two ovules. Styles three, combined below, free above: 
Stigmas obtuse. 
Of the Tea-plant, two kinds are commonly cultivated in 
our greenhouses, the one under the name of Tuxa viridis, 
or Green Tea, the other of Tura Bohea, or Black Tea: and 
which appellations have been given them, partly, as it would 
appear, on account of the relative colours of the foliage, and 
partly under an impression, that the former produced the 
Green Tea of the shops, and the latter the Black Tea. But 
this idea seems to be founded on no good authority, as We 
shall presently show ; and even with regard to T. viridis 
and I’. Bohea, Botanists are by no means agreed as to theit 
specific identity : indeed, a general opinion now prevails 
that they are mere varieties ; an opinion, however, in which — 
I do not coincide. T. viridis is a large, strong-growing, | 
almost hardy, plant, with its branches spreading, its leaves 
three to five inches long, very broadly lanceolate, pale 
green, singularly waved, the margin reflexed ; the flowels 
ee large, solitary, mostly confined to the upper axil : they 
appear in the autumn, six weeks or two months earlier thal 
those of T. Bohea : whilst the latter is of smaller size; | 
remarkably er ect, stiff branches, leaves not above h f or 
two-thirds the size of the former, perfectly flat, more coré 
qeons: of a dark green, bearing in the axils of numerous 
eaves two or three flowers, which are smaller, and have@ 
slight fragrance, and are in perfection during winter. 
will not endure our frosts. Both kinds are indeed so frequent 
m our collections, that every one has the opportunity @ 
‘ramining them, and exercising his own judgment as 10 
ne Keguagany of their characters. The difficulty is much 
pe a in determining which of these species is the of 
then a in China ; whether both may not be employed 
o production of the different kinds of Tea; or whe 
ey May not be indiscriminatel d :—for the Chine? 
are exceed ee ely used: or the 
Ingty jealous over the processes employed 19" 
pre 
