BOTANICAL DIFFERENCE. 327 



question, concealing nothing from him as to their 

 origin ; but he saw nothing in the leaf or general 

 character of the plants on which he could establish 

 a specific difference. He nevertheless, on his 

 return to England, inclined to the opinion from 

 impressions received on his journey from Peking, 

 and from information obtained at Canton, that a 

 difference of species might be established. 



It must be remembered, however, that this scien- 

 tific and well informed author suffered a severe fit 

 of illness during his journey down the country, 

 and finally, the loss of many of his papers and 

 collections in the wreck of the Alceste. But if these 

 specimens were really what they were represented 

 to be, I do not know that a more satisfactory test 

 has ever been afforded of the specific identity of the 

 plants yielding the teas of commerce — so far as 

 that can be established on the comparison of only 

 two plants. For if we doubt the specimens pro- 

 cured by respectable parties, each from his own 

 country, how can this question ever be settled 

 except by a competent examination on the spot 

 in the particular districts where these teas are 

 grown ? 



Mr. Reeves, whose contributions and labours as 

 a botanist and naturalist, while in China, are well 

 known and highly appreciated, is of opinion that 

 there are two strongly marked varieties, if not two 

 species, constituting the difference between black 

 and green tea. No one can doubt the respect due 



Y 4f 



