INTRODUCTION. 
Among the various plants which have been introduced into this 
country, there are few, perhaps, more interesting, or more highly 
ornamental, than those which constitute the natural order Camellieae. 
The whole of them, so far as we know at present, are indigenous to 
China, the islands of Japan, and the East Indies. In these countries 
they are held in great estimation; so much so, that their culture is 
regarded as an object of the utmost importance; particularly the genus 
Thea: the leaves of Avhich, after undergoing a certain process, is the 
well-known Tea, which constitutes one of the chief articles of our com¬ 
merce Avith the East, and the source from Avhich a considerable portion 
of our national revenue is derived. This, of itself, is sufficient to re¬ 
commend the Theas to the care and attention of every cultivator; 
Avhilst the Camellias, on the other hand, will ahvays be esteemed for 
their beauty, especially the varieties of the Camellia Japonica, Avhich 
are universally admired, and form, during the Avinter and early spring 
months, the most attractive ornament of the greenhouse and con¬ 
servatory. 
The order consists of only two genera, Thea and Camellia, which, 
from their great affinity to one another, has occasioned much diversity 
of opinion among botanical Avriters respecting them. By some, the 
Theas have been referred to Camellia; Avhile others, Avith more pro¬ 
priety, regard them as forming a genus closely allied to, but differing 
