218 REMINISCENCES OF A VOYAGE TO AND FROM CHINA. 
is no doubt but that the plant will thrive equally well in soil of similar 
quality, and in the same latitude, either north or south of the tea- 
country in China; but whether it can be manufactured equally 
cheap , is the gravamen of the question. The southern slopes, or along 
the base of the Himalaya mountains, though too far from a shipping 
port perhaps, might be an eligible locality; but whether the population 
there are sufficiently numerous, and as industrious as the Chinese, is 
uncertain. But, no doubt, all this matter has already been canvassed 
by the Company. 
That other leaves are mixed with the true tea, in some particular 
descriptions of it, is perfectly manifest. This is not done to increase 
the quantity, but to improve the scent; and for this purpose those of 
the Olea fragrcins, a very common plant in China, is said to be 
employed. This ought to be a caution to informers against tea-dealers 
in this country. 
The above-named plants formed the majority of the contents of the 
nine boxes packed at Canton, and received on board the ship at the 
second bar, (a station in the river where all large vessels complete their 
cargoes,) about the first of March, 1794. The plants were then all 
looking prosperously, allowance being made for their recent shifting, 
from which some of them had not quite recovered. 
Before leaving China, we may put down a few general observations 
relative to that interesting: countrv, and which are more or less connected 
with the objects of our mission. 
Concerning dietetic plants, the dead season at which we resided at 
Canton prevented us seeing all they cultivate; but, of roots, we saw a 
few small potatoes, convolvulus batatas, yams, beet, carrot, scallions, 
water-lily, one or two sorts of arum, a sort of turnip, ginger, turmeric, 
and the earth-nut, or water-chestnut (Trapa bicornis ). Of leaves, we 
saw white beet, a sort of German greens, lettuce, endive, spinach, the 
sweet olive for seasoning ; Amarantus oleraceus , two or three varieties; 
several sorts of sweet herbs, and tea, of course • Of legumes and grain, 
we only saw the seeds of the water-lily, dry peas, calavances, rice, and 
maize. 
Of fruit they have a great variety. In no part of the world are 
oranges, and, indeed, all the citrus tribe, seen in greater perfection. 
A variety of orange, called, from its superiority, the Mandarin,” is 
very excellent: when perfectly ripe, the rind separates entirely from 
the pulp, the latter coming out whole when the former is cut. At the 
stalls in the streets, the sellers will allow a buyer to take as many as 
he pleases for a few cash , (a small copper coin,) provided the former are 
