NOTICE OF BOTANICAL PUBLICATIONS. 169 
juice, and the well known Saul (Shorea robusta, Roxb.) is 
considered by that eminent naturalist, as only second to 
Teak, for most purposes requiring a strong durable wood. 
As ornamental trees, they merit much attention,’ not only 
on account of their majestic size and handsome forms, but 
equally for the beauty of their clustered flowers, and the richly: 
coloured wings of their curious fruit." i 
_ In connexion with the TEnNSTR(MIACEZ, (to which belong 
the favouriteCamellias, and the Thea, ) Dr Wight observes, ** The 
geographical distribution of the Order in India, both generally 
and individually, as regards particular genera and species, has 
recently attracted much attention, with reference to the exten- 
sion of the cultivation of the Zea Plant, it having hitherto been 
supposed that it would not thrive, at least to such a degree as 
to render its growth an object of commercial importance, be- 
yond the limits of those districts in China, whence the produce 
has been so long and so largely exported.” And he goes on 
to speak of the capabilities of India for the production of this 
plant. * Mr Royle,” he observes, ** in a very elaborate article 
on the subject, in his Z/lustrations of the Botany of the Him- 
alayan Mountains, comes to the conclusion, that the Tea plant 
5 virtually a native of a temperate climate, and that the slopes 
of these mountains afford the most proper atmosphere and 
soil for the growth and culture of this plant—the former, as 
partaking of the character of the tropics during one half of 
the year, and of the temperate zone the remainder ; the latter 
as being formed from the detritus of primitive rocks. In 
arriving at this conclusion, which is nearly in accordance 
With the opinion advanced by Dr Abel, whom he seems to - 
consider, beyond all comparison, as the best authority, Mr 
Royle has evidently been misled by reposing too great con- 
fidence in his guide ; since, strange to say, the inference is at 
Variance with nearly the whole of the evidence advanced by 
himself in support of it. Were the case really such as he 
_ Puts it, the south of Europe would afford nearly every re- - 
quisite for the successful cultivation of Zea, but I greatly — — 
fear, if ever put to the test of experiment, that some of the — 
~ — Journ, of Bot, Vol. IL. No. 12. May, 1840. 2 
