114 L VEGETABLES.— Theacete. 



Shaddock, Pampelmus^ Citrus decumana. Fruit very large, 

 esculent. 



Lime tree, Citrus medica acida, C acida, C. limetta. Fruit, 

 limey limetta, used to rub floors to cleanse them and also scent the 

 rooms ; juice of the fruit very acid, and even acrid, used to acidu- 

 late spirituous drinks. 



159. THEACE^. 



Thea oleosa. Seeds expressed yield a fine limpid oil. — 

 Black tea, Thea hohea. Leaves, in weak infusion, stomachic, 

 favour digestion, raise the spirits, an excellent diluent. 



Des Guignes gives the following characters of the different 

 kinds of black tea, as he observed them in China, using the com- 

 mon English orthography, with their usual price at Canton : they 

 are supposed to be picked from old trees, and are dried in shallow 

 pans over charcoal fires. 



1. BoHEA tea, {Vo he, the name of a place,) is of a black 

 cast, and yields a deep yellowish infusion; sells in China for 12 

 to 15 taels. 



2. Congou tea, {congfiu, great care,) the infusion is lighter 

 than that of bohea, rather green, and seldom of an agreeable 

 smell; preferred by the Chinese and Indian islanders for their 

 own use. 



3. Soutchong tea, (se ow chong, a very little sort,) the infu- 

 sion is a fine green, smells agreeably ; the leaves ought to have 

 no spots on them. 



4. Pekao tea, ipe how, white leaf bud,) the infusion is light 

 and rather green, has a violet scent, and a very fine perfume in 

 the mouth. 



5. Imperial tea {mao tcha,) has a green cast, the infusion 

 is also green ; the leaves large and of a fine green ; has a slight 

 smell of soap. — To these may be added, Campoi tea, which is 

 intermediate between congou and soutchong. 



6. Padre tea, {pou chong tcha,) a very fine soutchong, 

 imported in pound papers, for presents ; being the best and most 

 delicious. — Caper tea, made into balls with gum, and scented, 

 imported only in small boxes. 



Green tea, Thea viridis. Doubtful whether a distinct spe- 

 cies, or only the young leaves of the bohea, slowly dried in the 

 shade : the infusion narcotic in a small dose, and appeases the 

 qualms of intoxication, but taken largely brings on watchfulness, 

 nervous agitation, and is even emetic : this irritability is best al- 

 layed by butter-milk. — The green teas of Des Guignes are, 



1. Songlo tea, (from the place where it is grown,) has a 



