BOTANICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND FORM. 45 



Which has lately attracted so much attention, partakes 

 somewhat of the character of both the foregoing varieties. 

 Some botanists, however, claim that it is a distinct species, 

 while others who recognize but one genus, contend that 

 the India plant is but a wild type of the Chinese variety, 

 and that any difference existing between them is the 

 result of soil, climate and special culture. Planters on 

 the other hand distinguish many points of difference 

 between the China and India tea-plants. The leaf of the 

 latter when full grown measures from three to five inches 

 in length, while that of the former seldom exceeds three; 

 again, the leaC of the India species does not harden as 

 quickly during growth, which is an important consid- 

 eration in picking. The inflorescence of the latter also 

 varies from that of the Chinese variety, its usual state 

 being to have the flower solitary, and situated in the 

 axils of the leaves, the number varying from one to five. 

 In general, it is more prolific and matures quicker, which 

 renders it more profitable, as it affords a greater number 

 of pickings during the season ; but it is still doubtful if it 

 is a true tea. In its geographical distribution, so far as 

 latitude is concerned, the India tea-plant approximates 

 most to the Black tea species of China, yet in its botanical 

 characteristics and general appearance as well as in the 

 size and texture of its leaves, it approaches nearer to the 

 Green tea variety. 



Two other species described by Loureiro, but un- 

 known to commerce, are classed as Thea Cochinchinensis. 

 found in a wild state in the north of Cochin-China, where 

 it is also extensively cultivated, but used medicinally by 

 the natives as a diaphoretic. And Thea Oleosa (oil tea), 

 grown in the vicinity of Canton, the seeds of which yield 

 an oil used for illuminating purposes as well as an article 

 of diet by the inhabitants. In addition to these there 



