Miscellaneous Intelligence. 455 



to be in no degree inferior to the Oriental. In 1796, Mr. Ball, and in 1819, 

 Mr. Youngf, were both rewarded with premiums from the Society of Arts for 

 growing; the poppy for its opium, and for its oil; and Mr, Young;, who is a 

 surgeon in Edinburgh, found that a crop of early potatoes may be grown 

 along with the poppies. 



CameTU« japonica, Japanese, or Single Red, C. ; Bot. Mag. t. 42. This is 

 the first species that was introduced into this country, and is stated in the 

 Hart. Kcw. to have been cultivated by Robert James Lord Petre, in 1739. 

 It is not noticed in the 8th edition of Miller's Dictionary, published in 1768, 

 so that it must have been rare at that period ; one reason for which is, that 

 it was generally treated as a stove plant: afterwards it was found to succeed ' 

 in a much lower temperature. In China it is said, to grow freely, and attain 

 the height of one of our cherry trees. In this country, being of free growth, 

 and easily increased by cuttings, and being also the hardiest of all the species 

 or varieties, it is employed as a stock on which fo graft or inarch all the 

 others. In the neighbourhood of London, in Paris, and in some of the 

 country nurseries, it is extensively grown for this purpose. 



C. oleifera, Oil-bearing C. ; Bot. Reg. f. 492, Bot. Cab. t. 1065. The Chi- 

 nesecall it the " oil-bearing tea plant," as it very closely resembles tea. Dr. 

 Abel sometimes found it of the magnitude of a moderately sized cherry tree, 

 and never less than the size of a shrub of 6 or 8 ft. high. At a distance 

 these plants looked as if they had been lightly clothed with snow, but neai-pr 

 they exhibited one immense garden. This species is said to have been ori- 

 ginally brought to the country by Lord Macartney, but was afterwards lost 

 till 1820, when it was reintroduced by Captain Nisbett. It is readily dis- 

 tinguished from C. Sanr'nigna. by being of a much more robust habit, larger 

 in every respect, with thicker leaves, with moderately large serratures, and 

 sharp at the point. 



C. Hes&nqua, the Sesanqua of Japan, and Cha-Whaw of China; Lady 

 Bank's Camellia. Introduced by Captain Wellbank of the East India Com- 

 pany's service, in 1811. Of a louse straggling habit; but, if the principal 

 stem is supported when young, it will attain the height of 6 or 8 ft.' Leaves 

 elliptic lanceolate; flowers white, opening in November and December; 

 very much resembling those of the tea tree. There is a semi-double variety, 

 Bot. Reg., f 1091. It is extensively cultivated in China for the same object 

 as the C. oleifera; crushing the seeds for oil, and adulterating tea with the 

 leaves. In Chinait is said to grow on the debris of rocks and stones; here 

 it succeeds best in moderately strong, rich, sandy soil, and is readily in- 

 creased by inarching or grafting on C. japonica. 



C. japonica onemoneflora, Anemone-flowered Japanese, or Waratdh C. 

 Introduced about 1806; very distinct from any of the other Chinese varie- 

 ties, and readily distinguished by its flat and comparatively narrow pointed 

 leaves, and long slender footstalks. The flowers are remarkably showy, 

 and resemble a large double anemone. Like those of some other varieties 

 they drop off whole, and will retain their freshness for a considerable time 

 afterwards; so that, if placed upon a bud, they appear to be still growing. 



The Guaco Plant.— In addition to the beautiful account given by Sir 

 Robert Ker Porter, Sir Ralph Woodford, as well as other learned gentlemen, 

 of the guaco plant, I transmit the following accounts, which have come un- 

 der my own knowledge, respecting its efficacy in curing the bite or sting of 

 those poisonous reptiles which abound in South America, as well as in other 

 warm countries: -As a man named Santiago was clearing land on an estate 

 called Bogade Topo, he was stung by a tiger snake in the leg In a few 

 hours his leg swelled very much, and the flesh about the part stung turned 

 quite black. The juice of the guaco was at leugth procured, and be drank 

 a wine-glassful every hour, for six hours, and the part affected his i ubbed 

 with the leaves. The pain ceased, and the swelling shortly went down 

 without any sensation; but, for sevenil <l;i\s, the part affected remained 

 black. Two slaves on an estate called Pilinseat, in Hie v;illeys ( .: r' Toye, 

 were stung by a rattle-snake. The poor fellows suffered much before the 

 juice of this vine could be procured: their legs and bodies swelled. They 

 li ink very freely of the juice, and rubbed their bodies for several hours In 



