( 47 ) 
Others have, with lefs propriety, attributed the verdure to 
_ green copperas'; but this ingredient, which is only falt of iron, 
would immediately turn the leaves black, and the infufion made 
from the Tea would be of a deep purple colour’. 
Is it not more probable, that fome green dye, prepared from 
vegetable fubftances, is ufed for the colouring ? 
« See Short on Tea, p. 16. Boerhaave attributed the verdure of green Tea to 
this fubftance. ) 
2 ¢ Tt is confidently faid in the country, that no plates of copper are ever em- 
ployed for that purpofe. Indeed, fcarcely any utenfil ufed im China is of that metal, 
the chief application of which is for coin. The earthen or iron plates are placed 
over a charcoal fire, which draws all remaining moifture from the leaves, rendering 
them dry and crifp.” Sir G. Staunton’s Embafly, Vol. II. p. 465- 
