Ig2 A COMPENDIUM OF 
calyx five-toothed. The flower is not unlike the 
trailing arbutus. The fruit of the Uva Ursi is 
a small berry with five seeds. The Uva Ursiis 
said to be frequently adulterated with the leaves 
of the cowberry plant (Vaccineum Vitis Idcea), 
which they closely resemble. The leaves of the 
Uva Ursi are tonic, astringent, diuretic and 
nephritic, and are administered in form of an 
infusion and fluid extract (officinal”), the dose 
of the former being % to 1 fluid ounce; of the 
latter 4 to 1 fluid drachm (2 to 4 grams), either 
alone or with fluid extract of Buchu. 
Thea, Tea.—Natural order Ternstroemicez. 
Found growing wild and cultivated in all parts 
of southern Asia. The tea plant is an ever- 
green shrub from two to four feet high, adorned 
with small, smooth, shining green leaves, with 
a prominent midrib; in shape, partaking of the 
oblong lanceolate character and supported on 
very short petioles. The leaves, as they occur 
in commerce, are rolled and contorted and many 
times adulterated with various other kinds of 
leaves. Some authors affirm that the different 
brands of tea are gathered from the same plant, 
and that the quality depends upon the part of 
the shrub from which the leaves are plucked, 
and the care exercised in curing, When pure, 
tea has a peculiar and agreeable odor and a 
pleasant, astringent taste. This fact is, per- 
haps, the only mode of distinguishing its purity. 
Thea contains albumen, wax, resin, volatile oil 
and a large per cent. of tannn, also Theia, or 
*The word official has been adopted in place of the former 
word officinal. Iam of the opini i 
one, and conveys more weight. oS 
