REMINISCENCES OF A VOYAGE TO AND FROM CHINA. 215 
MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 
Reminiscences of a Voyage to and from China (continued 
from page 180).—Among the many flowering plants which were new 
to us, we could not overlook the early-flowering and fragrant La Moe, 
called by us Calycanthus (Chimonanihnsfragrans), one plant of which 
we procured. This shrub is much esteemed by the Chinese, not only 
for its fine scent, but for some medical quality it is said to possess, as 
an antidote against the virulence of the small-pox. We had no means 
of learning how, or from what part of the plant, the medical quality 
was extracted, or how administered ; but only the simple fact, that it 
is held in repute for its remedial virtue, as allaying the danger of this 
loathsome and, among that smooth-faced people, dreaded disease. This 
circumstance may be worth the attention of some member of the Medico- 
Botanical Society, as the plant is now plentiful in this country. We 
did not learn that any other species or varieties of it were known at 
Canton. 
Another favourite climbing shrub, and which would be an acquisi¬ 
tion as a conservatory plant in this country, is one called Engchorv. It 
is employed as a treillage or court-yard plant at Canton; has elliptical, 
entire, smooth, pale-green leaves, and numerous yellow polypetalous 
flowers, which are also sweet-scented. It is probably either a Magnolia 
or a Michelia. The plants we had of it perished on the voyage home. 
We think we have seen a small plant of the Engcliow in the collection 
of Mr. Tate, of Sloane Street, which he told us he had lately received 
direct from China. 
We bought another flowering shrub, called Chee by the Chinese 
nurserymen. This flowered on the voyage, and proved to be the Spircea 
crenata of Besser. 
The Nelumhium speciosum is a famous Chinese plant, and plentiful 
in the canals all over the country. We did not think it necessary to 
encumber the ship with living plants, but brought home plenty of the 
seeds, which we previously knew would readily vegetate in any stove. 
We believe this fine aquatic was first flowered in England by Mr. 
Rangecroft, at the late Duke of Portland’s, at Bulstrode, in the year 
1790, which plant we saw before our departure for India. Some of 
the finest specimens we saw in China were in pots, and placed as 
thanksgiving offerings on the altars of the places of worship, for mer¬ 
cies vouchsafed.” We understood that these offerings were presented 
by women after their “ confinement.” 
