84 FLORA DOMESTICA. 



There are several other Camellias, requiring the same 

 treatment as this, which is the handsomest species. Had 

 the Camellia been a Greek, or Italian, or English plant, 

 there would have been a great deal said of it by poets and 

 lovers; and doubtless it makes a figure in the poetry of 

 Japan. But, unfortunately for our quotations, though 

 perhaps fortunately for their own comfort, the Japanese 

 have hitherto had most of their good things to themselves. 

 Their country would lay open a fine field for the botanist. 

 See an interesting account of this apparently intelligent 

 and amiable people in Golownin's Narrative of his Captivity 

 among them. 



There are two superb collections of the Camellia Ja- 

 ponica open to the public : one at Vauxhall, the other at 

 Hackney. 



In Japan an oil is expressed from the seeds of the Ca- 

 mellia Japonica, which is constantly used in preparing food. 



The species called the Camellia Sasanqua is a small 

 shrub, so exactly like the tea-shrub, both in leaf and 

 blossom, that they are not readily distinguished but by 

 their size. The leaves have a pleasing scent, and, after 

 being boiled, are used by the Japanese ladies to wash their 

 hair. They are likewise sometimes mixed with the tea- 

 leaves to make their scent yet more agreeable *. 



CAMPANULA. 



CAMPANULACEjE. PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA. 



Italian, campanella. French, campanule, or carapanette. English, 

 Bell-flower. These names signify a little bell, and were given to the 

 flower on account of its bell-like shape. 



MILLAR mentions seventy-eight kinds of Campanula, of 

 which it will be sufficient to specify some of the most de- 



* See Thunbcrg's Travels, vol. iv. p. 38 and 120. 



