230 STRANGE PLANTS OF CHINA. 



There also are Mol'ian, or windy Mountains, such as in Europe ; 

 for in the Province of Huqucmg is a Mountain call'd Fang, from 

 which (as Martinius relates) in the Spring and Autumn not the 

 least Breath appears ; but from the hollow Caverns in Summer 

 assiduous Blasts and continual Blowings issue. 



The Lakes of the Chineses are like their Mountains, full of 

 Rarities. 



There is near Sinine, in the Province of Quantung, a Mountain 

 call'd Tenlu, full of Caverns, and dreadful to behold ; in it, as 

 Father Martinius witnesseth, they report a standing Pool to be, 

 into which if you cast a Stone from aloft, you shall presently hear 

 a roaring and noise like Thunder, and immediately the Skie being 

 troubled, disembogues violent Showers. 



In describing the strange plants of China the Holy 

 Father dwells upon the virtues of Tea in a way that 

 cannot but be pleasing to old ladies in general, and 

 Captain Basil Hall in particular : 



As the Empire of China by a continu'd Tract of Lands partici- 

 pateth of the Properties of many things with India, the Seas Ix -i 

 subject to the Ton-id Zotit; so also it produces various Plant-, 

 endu'd with rare and admirable Qualities; of some whereof i 

 the following Account. 



The first is the Rose of China, which twice every day changeth 

 its Colour, now being all Purple, and by and by becoming all 

 White, yet without any sweet Scent. 



There is also the Plant call'd Cha, which not being able to con- 

 tain itself within the Bounds of China, hath insinuated itself into 

 Europe: It aboundeth in clivers Regions of China, and there is 

 great difference, but the best and more choice is the Province of 

 Kitmgnan, in the Territory of the City of Hoeicheu. The leaf be- 

 ing boil'd and infus'd in Water, they drink very hot as often ;- 

 they please ; it is of a Diuretick Faculty, much fortifies the Stomach, 

 rxhilirates the Spirits, and wonderfully openeth all the Nephritic k 

 1'assages or Reins ; it freeth the Head by suppressing of fuligin- 

 ous Vapours, so that it is a most excellent Drink for studious and 

 sedentary Persons, to quicken them in their Operations : and al- 

 beit at the first it seemeth insipid and bitter, yet Custom make* 

 it pleasant : and though the Tiir!;hh Coffee is said to produce the 

 like effecct,and the Mexican Chocolate be another excellent Drink, 

 yet Tea, if the best, very much excelleth them, because (7/< < 

 in hot Seasons inflameth the Blood more than ordinary, and 



