38 TEA TREE EXPOSED TO 



frost, modified in its intensity and duration by 

 position as regarding latitude : while a gradually 

 increasing evolution of heat, accompanied by a 

 humid state of the atmosphere, succeeded by 

 copious rains, attend the renovation of its powers, 

 and the increasing activity of its vital energies. 



Thus it appears that the tea tree is alike exposed 

 to intervals of severe frost, but of short duration, 

 and the intense heat of a vertical sun ; that it 

 grows in the neighbourhood of the sea-coast ; on 

 islands, as Chusan and Japan ; and in the interior 

 and western extremity of the empire, as in Szu- 

 chuen, beyond all influence of the sea. If in- 

 digenous in all these situations, and under such 

 variety of climate and circumstances, nothing can 

 more strongly prove the hardy nature of the tree 

 (so far at least as its vegetative powers are con- 

 cerned, as observed by Mr. M'Cleland) ; and, if 

 propagated by art and culture, what can more 

 clearly evince its great powers of adaptation to 

 climate, and ease of propagation ? It may, in- 

 deed, be variously modified with regard to flavour, 

 astringency, and other properties on which ex- 

 cellence of quality depends, but experiment alone 

 can determine that fact. It seems less injured by 

 cold than benefited by heat : that the part of China 

 most congenial to its growth is between 27° and 

 33° of north latitude, where the mean annual tem- 

 perature may perhaps be considered to range from 

 about 62° to 68° ; where copious rains happen in 



