46 Discovery of the Genuine [Jan. 



the foot of a low range of hills and in the subjacent plains, from 

 whence I obtained three or four young trees, which I gave to Dr. John 

 TrTLERin Calcutta, with a view of their being planted in the Government 

 Botanical Garden. I have since understood they decayed soon after. 

 The soil where they grow was described to be alluvial like most parts 

 of Assam, and the trees rising to the height of twelve or fourteen feet 

 more, either at the foot or a small distance up the hills, but never on 

 the summit ; from which I infer a sheltered situation to be most favor- 

 able. The aspect was generally southerly or south-east. I am sorry 

 I cannot give you a minute description of the plant, not having it now 

 before me ; but so much I recollect, the leaves were about two inches in 

 length and one in breadth, alternate, elliptic-oblong and serrate. The 

 flower white, very like that of the wild white rose, but much smaller. 

 The seed I have not seen ; it was described to be contained in a red, 

 round, three-lobed capsule, the lobes detached or bursting along the 

 upper sides, with a single seed in each . From what I have seen of the 

 tea plant in different parts of the world, and lately in New Holland, 

 propagated by seeds brought direct from China, I have little doubt but 

 that that found near Beesa is a species of tea ; and though it may be 

 spurious or even a Camellia, as Dr. Wallich suggests, its growing 

 there indigenous and in great abundance affords good grounds for sup- 

 posing that the introduction of the Chinese plant into Upper Assam 

 would be attended with success. I have not had an opportunity of mak- 

 ing any experiment on the leaves ; they are described as small in their 

 green state, but acquire the fragrance and flavour of Chinese tea when 

 dried. The Singphos and Kamtees are in the habit of drinking an in- 

 fusion of the leaves which I have lately understood they prepare by cut- 

 ting them into small pieces, taking out the stalks and fibres, boiling 

 and then squeezing them into a ball which they dry in the sun and re- 

 tain for use. I have written to Sadiya for a specimen of the tea pre- 

 pared in this manner, and for plants and seeds ; I will send you some 

 .if I am able to procure them, and write to you on this subject more 

 fully by and bye. 



Copy of a private letter from Lieut. Charlton to Captain Jenkins, dated 

 at Sadiya, the 8th November, 1834. 

 I have now the pleasure of sending you some seeds and leaves of 

 the tea tree of Assam, and am sorry that the unsettled state I have 

 been in for the last three months has prevented my sending them so 

 soon as I intended. The leaves you could have had before, but I was 

 anxious to make them into something like tea, the best test that the 

 tree is not a Camellia, as Dr. Wallich imagines. It appears coarse, 

 owing to the leaves being large and much too old, which could not at 



