TEA TREE. 
A Mere catalogue of authors, who have 
J mentioned this celehrated tree with the titles 
of their respe6live works, would alone occupy 
' a greater number of pages than can with pro- 
priety be devoted to our description of the pre- 
sent article ; about which, as commonly hap- 
1 pens in matters much treated of, very great 
uncertainty is still found to prevail. Whether 
the Latin botanical name Thea, or the com- 
mon English appellation Tea, are derived from 
the Japanese Tsjaa, or the Chinese Thct, has 
[ afforded matter for discussion ; but, though we 
embrace the latter opinion, we consider the 
fadl as of little importance : it is sufficient that, 
by some such name, the leaves of this tree are 
[[known and distinguished in most parts of the 
world. 
The size of the Tea Tree has also been 
[ very differently represented by various writers. 
S Le Compte tells us, it is found from two feet 
[|to two hundred, and so thick that two men 
I can 
