136 Observations on the Camellia, and its Varieties. 



then, occasionally, be warm, it will be necessary to place the plants 

 near the front sashes, and to expose them, except on frosty nights, 

 to the external air, and thus by degrees gradually accustom them to 

 the atmosphere and temperature of their residence ; or if we wish to 

 retard their flowering, it is only requisite to keep them in a tempera- 

 ture so low, that the buds will not commence swelling, until the time 

 when the flowers ai"e desired. 



Having, Gentlemen, detailed my experience in the cultivation of 

 this elegant exotic, I shall, as proposed, annex a descriptive list of 

 those valuable varieties, of which I have a knowledge, and for which 

 I shall be indebted, in many instances, to the following standard 

 works, viz. — Illustrations of the Camellia, Chandler & Booth, folio, 

 London, 18:29 ; Les Camellise de Bollwiller, par Charles A. et N. 

 Baumann, folio, France; Loudon's Gardener's Magazine; Transac- 

 tions of the Horticultural Societies of London and Berlin, he. he. 



The following species compose the natural order Camellea?, accord- 

 ing to Loudon's Hortus Britannicus : — 



1. Thea viridis. Asiatic Researches. 



Camellia viridis. 

 Green Tea. 



This is the shrub that prcCuces our green tea. " A large, strong 

 growing, almost hardy plant,* its leaves, three to five inches long, 

 very broadly lanceolate, pale green, singularly waved, with the mar- 

 gin reflexed ; the flowers large, white, solitary, mostly confined to 

 the upper axil." — (Dr. Hookcr^s Bot. Magazine.) 



2. Thea bohea. Asiatic Researches. 



Camellia Bohea. 

 Bohea Tea. 



From this species is derived the Black Tea, under whatever name 

 it is sold from our shops. It is a plant of more feeble growth, and 

 not so hardy as the former. The flowers are white, small, fragrant^ 

 and are borne in clusters in the axils of the leaves. 



3. Camellia euroyides. Botanical Register. 



Eiirya-like Camellia. 



This species, as I have before stated, is considered the connecting 

 link between the two genera, Thea and Camellia ; but little is known 

 of it at present, except, that its flowers are white, and resemble, in 

 many respects, the Eurya chinensis. 



4. Camellia oleifera. Abel's Journal in China. 



Oil Seed Camellia. 



Messrs. Chandler h Booth, in describing this species remark, 

 " that it is the famous oil seed tree of the Chinese, and called by 



* A green tea plant has lived for many years in the open air, at the nursery of 

 the Messrs. Loddiges, near London. 



