14 Ohservations on the Camellia. 



with peculiar splendor, displaying its showy blossoms of varied hue, 

 and reigninsj^ at once the pride and glory of the green-house. 



It is not known that they are indigenous to any other countries 

 than China, the East Indies, and the islands of Japan. 



The order is divided by botanists into two genera, Thea and Ca- 

 mellia ; the latter being named in honor of George Joseph Kamel, 

 and the former the plant wliich produces our tea, so universally 

 known and used as a luxury, and in a commercial point of view, of 

 vast importance; there having been, during nine months of the past 

 year, more than two hundred and twenty thousand chests, or upwards 

 of sixteen millions of pounds, imported into the United States alone. 



There exists much difference of opinion among botanists, as to the 

 order; some connecting Thea with Camellia, and others separating 

 them. Linnjeus considered them as two distinct genera, while Pro- 

 fessor Lindley doubts the propriety of such division, and in his In- 

 troduction to the Natural System of Botany, (London, 8vo. 1832) 

 has arranged both Thea and Camellia, under the natural order Tern- 

 stroemiacae. The genus Thea is divided into two species, Thea 

 viridis, the green, and Thea bohea, the black tea. The genus 

 Camellia is by Loudon, in his Hortus Britannicus, divided into six 

 species, viz. Camellia euroyides, oleifera, Kissi, Sasanqua reticu- 

 lata and japonica. Camellia euroyides, being considered the con- 

 necting link between the two genera, Thea and Camellia, and closely 

 allied to the Theas ; and Camellia japwuica, the type of the genus, 

 and from which species has originated almost, if not all, of the double 

 varieties now extant. There are, however, two other doubtful species, 

 viz. Camellia axillaris, of Dr. Sims, and Camellia Drupifera, of i/OM- 

 reiro. Camellia axillaris being described, by the Messrs. Baumann, 

 in their "Camellias de BoUwiller," (France, folio, 1833-34) a work 

 of great merit, as belonging to the genus Gordonia ; and in Loudon's 

 Hortus Britannicus, as Polyspora axillaris, both of which are arranged 

 under the natural order Ternstroemiacea^. Camellia Dmpifera has not 

 yet been imported into Great Britain or this country, and is thus spoken 

 of in Chandler &. Booth's Illustrations of the Camellia: — "Judging 

 from Loureiro's description, we think it a very doubtful species, and 

 apparently distinct from Camellia." 



The Camellia japonica, or the old Single Red, was first introduced 

 into Great Britain about the year 1739, and for more than half a 

 century remained a very scarce plant ; and we may infer, but little 

 known, not being mentioned in the eighth edition of Miller's Dic- 

 tionary, published in 1768. Neither do we hear of any farther im- 

 portations into the kingdom, until 1792, when the old Double White 

 and Double Striped were iDrought out, followed, in 1794, by the 

 Double Red. 



It was introduced into the United States about the commencement 

 of the present century. The most particular information I have on 

 the subject, is from M. Floy, Esq., of New York, who informs me 



