80 



TEA DISTRICTS OF CHINA. 



Chap. IY, 



in England (where it blooms in the open air at Christ- 

 mas), was quite common. But the most interesting 

 of these plants I found in an old garden, and it is 

 likely to be much prized at home. I will here relate 

 the accident by which it was discovered while we 

 were at Tung-che. My coolie and myself were busy 

 collecting tea-seeds on a small hill not far from the 

 town. After collecting all the seeds we could find, I 

 happened to get a glimpse of a very fine specimen of 

 the funereal cypress, with which I was so charmed, 

 that I determined to go to the spot where it was 

 growing and enjoy a nearer view. I desired my 

 attendant to accompany me, in case any ripe seeds 

 might be found upon it. As we approached the 

 village we discovered that the tree was inside a 

 garden, which was surrounded by very high walls. 

 Naturally supposing that there must be a gate some- 

 where, we walked round the walls until we came to a 

 little cottage, which seemed to have served the pur- 

 pose of a lodge. We passed in here with all the 

 coolness of Chinamen, and soon found ourselves in a 

 dilapidated old garden. A large house, which had 

 formerly been the mansion, was, like the garden, in a 

 ruinous condition. The funereal cypress which I 

 had seen in the distance stood in the midst of the 

 garden, and was covered with ripe seeds, which in- 

 creased the collection I had formerly obtained. 



Having taken a survey of the place, we were 

 making our way out, when an extraordinary plant, 

 growing in a secluded part of the garden, met my 

 eye. When I got near it I found that it was a very 



