StO [Assembly 



There are v^lriousJ^]ants growing indidereut countries, used as 

 a substitute for tea. In Mexico, the Psoivilca glanduhisa is URed 

 extensively. In New Grenada, they use a plant called Alstonia 

 theaformis, considered equal to Chinese tea; in North America, 

 Gaultheria prociimbens ; in New Holland, Conea alba ; and in 

 Brazil, the leuVes of the Lantana macrophylia, the infusion of 

 which in hot water is said to have very exhilarating qualities. 



There is a tree peculiar to Paraguay, called Ilex Paraguensis, 

 growing wild and in great abundance in the forests of the eastern 

 .and northern parts of the country ; the leaves, when prepared, 

 are called by the inhabitants, Yerva mat6, from a peculiar kind 

 of tea pot, from the spout of whicli, with a strainer attached, the 

 liot tea is imbibed. T]us tree is an evergreen, growing a leaf very 

 similar to the Chinese tea, and reaches a size equal to an ordinary 

 orange tree. These'trces have been in same instances improved 

 by cultivation under the auspices of the Jesuit mission, yielding 

 a fmer leaf, the name of which i^ Caamiuo. When the leaves 

 are collected, they are dried by fire heat, and packed in hide 

 bags containing 200 lbs. each. These bags are exported to La 

 Plata, Peru, Quito and Chili, where the inhabitants are extrava- 

 gantly fond of it, and drink it througliout the day. It is used 

 sometimes with sugar, and at other times with lemon juice. It 

 is said to have a sedative effect, and produces bad consequences 

 if too frequently indulged in. Paraguay prepares about six mil- 

 lions of pounds yearly. Kotzebue states that it is used in Chili 

 alone, to the amount of 01,000,000 annually. 



The mode of preparing the infusion of leaves, is nearly uni- 

 form throughout Europe and America ; to make it as wc make 

 it, then, it is essential that the water when poured upon the 

 leaves should be boiling, jind that the tea pot should be heated 

 by rinsing with some hot water before the leaves are placed in 

 it, or ot]ierwi-:e it will abstract heat from the water poured upon 

 the iea, and thus lessen its elTect. A small quantity of water 

 should be placed upon the tea first, and allowed to draw, when 

 more should bo added f.>r the iir.^.t inrus:on, wliich is always the 

 best, containing the principal pait of the aroma. 



