SOIL THE MOST SUITABLE. 69 



plantations to be about 700 feet above the plains, 

 [and here, we may add, the plains are nearly level 

 with the sea,] but in those that were less high the 

 shrubs appeared more thriving, probably from 

 having a somewhat better soil.* 



Again ; if we examine the roots of the tea shrub, 

 we shall find them to consist of innumerable small 

 fibres with fleshy spongioles extending themselves 

 in a circle not far removed from the stem, which 

 indicates that the plant is not one like the vine, 

 which sends forth its roots to a distance in search of 

 food ? or that it penetrates deeply into the earth ; 

 but that it requires to meet with its aliment within 

 narrow limits, and near the surface of the soil 

 which it inhabits.! 



If we further consider the important part which 

 the leaves play in the vegetable economy, that they 

 are in fact the lungs and stomach of the plant, and 

 exercise the important functions of respiration and 

 assimilation ; and then reflect on the severe coercion 

 to which it will be seen that the shrub is subjected, 

 during periods of from ten to fifteen consecutive 

 days, of being stripped of its young succulent 

 leaves so soon as they attain their proper size for 



* Mr. Fortune states that the plantations he saw in Chekiang, 

 Chusan, and Fokien were situated on the lower sides of the hills, 

 and never on low grounds. {Wanderings in China, p. 201.) 



f I am indebted to Mr. Scott, Sir George Staunton's principal 

 gardener, an intelligent and distinguished man in his art, for 

 pointing out this peculiarity to me ; and for many other useful 



and sensible suggestions. 



F 3 



