BOTANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 193 
Theine, as it is variously termed, which is iden- 
tical with Caffeine, obtained from the Caffea 
Arabica. This alkaloid occurs in beautifully 
white silky crystals. The flowers of the tea 
plant are white and usually solitary, but occasion- 
ally occur in clusters of two or three flowers; 
Stamens numerous, with yellow anthers; one 
pistil, with the style divided into three parts. 
Fruit, a three-celled capsule containing three 
seeds. The oil is intoxicant in its properties 
and very stimulating, hence it is said the Chi- 
nese never use the leaf as a beverage for sev- 
eral years after gathering; it is also asserted 
that the best tea is never exported. The vari- 
eties of tea are the Thea Bohea, Thea Assamica 
and the Thea Veridis; the latter was supposed 
to yield the brands of Imperial, Gunpowder, 
Hyson, Young Hyson and the Twankgy. These 
are said to be produced in the northern parts of 
China, to be colored with indigo and lime sul- 
phate, and the green teas are glazed and un- 
glazed. The Thea Bohea is said to yield the 
various brands of black tea, Pekoe, Lapsang, 
Souchong, etc., and found growing in the vicin- 
ity of Canton. The Pekoe brands are the best 
black teas. Theine or Caffeine is also found in 
Guarana, the fruit of the Paullina Sorbilis. 
