394 CAMELLIA PLANT. TEA TRIBE. 



they are generally united at the base into one or more bundles. 

 The ovarium is formed of from 3 to 6 carpels, more or less 

 united, with separate styles ; each cell originally contains several 

 ovules. In the ripe capsule, there are only three cells, each con- 

 taining but one seed (the other ovules not having been deve- 

 loped) ; and this is large, with fleshy cotyledons that contain a 

 large quantity of oil, and is destitute of albumen. The Camel- 

 lias are celebrated for the great beauty of their foliage, and the 

 splendid colours of their blossoms, which vary through every 

 shade and mixture of red and white. The C. Japonica is a lofty 

 tree in its native country ; and even in our conservatories it some- 

 times reaches a considerable size. The leaves of some species of 

 Camellia have been used as Tea ; but this is properly derived 

 from the genus Thea. 



560. Notwithstanding the many different kinds of Tea ex- 

 ported from China, it has now been ascertained that they are 



FIG. 148. TEA PLANT. 



all the produce of two species ; one of them called Thea viridis, 

 from its having been supposed to be the plant employed in 

 making green tea ; the other called Thea bohea, having been in 



