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LV. History and Description of the Species of Camellia 

 and Thea ; and of the Varieties of the Camellia Japonica 

 that have been imported from China. By Mr, William 

 Beattie Booth, A.L. S. Garden Clerk. 



Read August 18, and September 1, 1829. 



Among the various plants which have been introduced into 

 this country, there are few perhaps more interesting or more 

 highly ornamental than those belonging to the two genera of 

 which I have now the honour of presenting an account, to the 

 Horticultural Society. With the exception of the Camellia 

 Kissi, which is a native of Nipal, the whole are indigenous to 

 China and the Islands of Japan, where they are held in great 

 estimation, and where their culture is regarded as an object of 

 the utmost importance, particularly that of Thea, the leaves 

 of which after undergoing a certain process, are the well 

 known Tea, which constitutes one of the chief articles of our 

 commerce with the East, and the source from which a con- 

 siderable part of our national revenue is derived. These 

 plants, therefore, cannot but be considered as highly deserv- 

 ing our attention ; although they are by no means to be com- 

 pared with the beautiful varieties of the Camellia Japonica, 

 which are universally admired, and which form during the 

 winter, and early spring months, the most attractive ornament 

 of the Greenhouse and Conservatory. 

 Before I proceed to the description of the species, I may 



