since the _Chinese Tea_, and our _Chamelæagnus_, produce different
Effects: For, as all the Effects which the _Chinese_ or _Indians_
ascribe to their _Tea_, seem to arise from the Diversity of its
Parts, some of which are moderately warm, others excessively dry,
some gross, and some subtle: Hence, both _Tea_ and the true _Myrtle_,
prevent Intoxication; nay, an Infusion of _Tea_ surprizingly keeps
those who drink it in _China_, from sleeping for some Nights. It may,
therefore, be objected to me, that the _Chamelæagnus_ is so far from
preventing or removing Drunkenness, that it forthwith intoxicates
the Person who drinks the Ale in which it has been boiled; but these
Effects are as diametrically opposite to each other, as those others
are of the _Chinese Tea_ removing an _Hemicrania_, and Head-achs,
and the _European Chamelæagnus_ exciting them: I answer, all this is
true; but, at the same time, it is to be remembered, that _Galen_
every where demonstrates, of how great Efficacy, the Diversity of
Parts, in a compound Body, is; a memorable Example of which he has
given, in _Acorns_ arrived at perfect Maturity, in _Tr. de Composit.
Medicament. Loc. 1. Lib. 6._ I shall not affirm, that this Diversity
of Parts alone, is sufficient to account for all the Effects produced
by Tea, and the _Chamelæagnus_: But I am of Opinion, that both
considered, with respect to their whole Substance, and the Mixture
of Parts peculiar to each, act not so much by their weak Heat, as by
their excellent drying Virtues; so that they produce their respective
Effects only by their primary or secondary Qualities. But I can easily
prove, whence this Disagreement of Qualities derives its Origin. We
are, therefore, to consider, that the _Chamelæagnus_ abounds with a
Salt, and a glutinous Sulphur, of which, according to _Dodonæus_, the
Seeds and Fruit cannot be destitute: But, I deny that this Sulphur
is, in the least, offensive to the Brain and Nerves; and affirm, that
like the Wreaths of _Myrtles_, wore by the _Lesbians_, it, by its
Fragrance, comforts and revives the Brain; for, if it was otherwise,
I do not see how Ministers and Ambassadors to the Courts of _China_,
should often, by the Use of _Tea_, be enabled to attend Business for
whole Nights, without sleeping: This Account, however, must either be
confirmed, or refuted, by Experience. _Diogenes Laertius_ informs us,
that _Democritus_, when nothing else could be of any Service to him,
protracted his Life three Days longer, only by the refreshing Smell of
Bread, newly taken from an Oven. Thus, also, the moderate Use of Wine
revives, corroborates, and, by its Sulphur, dries the Nerves; which
is sufficiently known by Dancers, who frequently bath their Feet in
Wine, in order to strengthen them; and by Musicians, who take the same
Measures with their Hands: And if other Persons would frequently bathe
their Feet and Hands with Wine, impregnated either with _Rosemary_,
_Sage_, or _Betony_, it is incredible, how much it would contribute to
their Health. Besides, it may happen, that, by this Means, malignant
Disorders may be prevented. This Redundance, therefore, of a volatile
Sulphur in the _Chamelæagnus_, which palpably affects the Smell of
those who walk in Copsy Ground, disturbs the Brain, intoxicates, and
produces Head-achs. Thus, in Wine-Vaults, a Person is intoxicated by
drinking, sooner than elsewhere, because the Wine, though contained
in close Casks, sends forth sulphureous Exhalations, which escape
the Sight. It is certain, that the _Tartars_ import their _Cha_,
or _Chamelæagnus_, into _China_; but, it is not, to me, probable,
that they prepare it in the same Manner with the _Chinese_: For, if
we consider the Customs and Regimen of the _Tartars_, we find them
intolerably addicted to Drunkenness; notwithstanding which, they are
very robust and hardy: Hence, if they eat Herbs crude, and also boiled,
as they do their _Baltracan_, it is probable, they toast their _Cha_,
or dry it, and use it, whether after a _Crapula_, or not, and whether
they are afflicted with a Pain of the Head, or not; provided they are
intoxicated with it, as the Country People of _Europe_ are with the
_Chamelæagnus_ In order to correct this intoxicating Quality of the
_Chamelæagnus_, the _Chinese_ gather the Leaves in the _Spring_, and
not in the _Summer_: Now, it is sufficiently certain, from chemical
Observations, that the sulphureous Parts of Herbs are easily exhaled.
This was well enough known to _Galen_, since, in _Lib. de Aliment.
Facultat. Cap. 18._ he tells us, that the drastic Qualities of
Substances, that is, their saline, sulphureous, and volatile Parts, are
corrected, or drawn out by boiling, roasting, or Maceration. Hence, the
_Chinese_ toast, or carefully dry their _Tea_, in a Stove; after which,
they macerate it for a Quarter of an Hour in warm Water, but do not
boil it, lest, by that Means, it should be deprived of all its Virtues:
Thus, it is sufficiently known, that _Rhubarb_ is deprived of its
purgative Qualities by toasting it, and _Alexandrian Senna_ by being
boiled, and strongly expressed. If, therefore, as I before hinted, the
_Europeans_ would imitate the _Chinese_, they would only use those
Leaves of the _Chamelæagnus_, which are gathered in the _Spring_; but
not the Shrub itself, nor the Flowers, nor Seeds, boiled in Ale instead
of Hops; for the Leaves ought only to be macerated: Nor is it probable,
that the _Chamelæagnus_ would intoxicate so soon, if it was intirely
deprived of its Seeds; for this Effect is produced by the Sulphur which
abounds in other Herbs and Shrubs, as well as the _Chamelæagnus_, and
is sometimes more, and sometimes less volatile, or fixed: Thus, the
Scent of the Heart of the _Moschatella_ is intirely lost, by being
frequently smelled. The _Geranium Moschatum_ also, has this peculiar
to itself, that when it appears half withered, it emits no Smell;
but sends forth a strong one when gently rubbed between the Hands;
for if it should be bruised, the Labour would be lost. _Rue_ also
contains so volatile a Sulphur, that, when it is dry, it has almost no
Colour, whilst its Seeds are oleous and sulphureous. _Wormwood_ holds
a Kind of Medium, consisting of one highly volatile Principle, which
greatly affects the Head; for which Reason some would have it washed
in warm Water before it is used for the Preparation of the _Vinum
Absinthites_, and another of a more fixed Nature; as also a volatile
and fixed Salt: Thus, also, _Garlick, Mother of Thyme_, and especially
the _Laurel_, abound in Sulphur, as well as the _Chamelæagnus_, in
which, indeed, it is more slowly and difficultly consumed, than in
the others. When, in order to investigate the Virtues and Faculties
of the _Chamelæagnus_, I kindled some Part of it, together with the
Seeds; it did not burn suddenly, like the _Juniper_, but slowly, like
the _Beech_, with certain Noises, or Kinds of Explosions, intermixed.
The Smoak, which filled the whole Laboratory, was of an acrid Smell,
highly resembling that of the kindled Twigs of the _Beech_: Hence, we
infer, that the _Chamelæagnus_ contains a large Quantity of Sulphur and
volatile Salt. From these Reasonings and Experiments, I think it is
sufficiently obvious, that it is, upon account of the grateful and duly
corrected Sulphur of the _Chinese Chamelæagnus_, that the Brain is so
much refreshed, and that Persons who use it in _China_, can, without
any Loss, sit up whole Nights in transacting Business; a memorable
Instance of this we have in _Alexander Rhodius_, who always had
Disorders of his Head removed by drinking it: Whereas, the _European
Chamelæagnus_, especially that which is full grown, and abounds with
Seeds and Flowers, when boiled in Ale, intoxicates those who drink
such Ale, procures Sleep, and excites Head-achs. These Circumstances,
when impartially weighed, will vindicate me from Partiality, when
I despise the costly _Chinese Chamelæagnus_, and, in its stead,
substitute our own, a Shrub of uncommon and excellent Qualities against
Poison, and the Bites of Serpents: Since, according to _Pliny_, these
noxious Animals cannot endure the Smell of it. These Virtues of the
_Chamelæagnus_, we can teach the _Asiatics_, but can hardly believe
that, by Virtue of their _Tea_, Persons may sit up all Night, without
sustaining any Loss.
Every one is convinced that two Kinds of _Tea_ are sold in the Shops,
one of a blackish Colour, and the other of a faint Green; the one
pretty much, and the other far less crenated: This Variation of the
_Chinese Tea_, I can sufficiently account for; since _Tulpius_ tells
us, that the Leaves of the _Chinese Tea_ are of a dark green Colour;
whereas those produced in _Japan_ are of a fainter Colour, and more
grateful Taste; for which Reason, one Pound of the latter is, in
the _Indies_, frequently sold for an Hundred _Libræ_ of Silver,
or, according to _Trigautius_, only for ten or twelve _Nobles_.
Notwithstanding this, the Shopkeepers of _Amsterdam_ and _Hamburg_ sell
a Pound of this Commodity for eight _Nobles_, as I have often before
observed.
I cannot, on this Occasion, forbear recommending the Conduct of _Oluis
Wormius_, who, in his _Musæum, Lib. 2. Cap. 14._ informs us, that he
macerated a certain Quantity of both Kinds of _Tea_, in warm Water,
and found the Leaves of the one, when spread, of a dark green Colour,
crenated like _Rose-Tree_ Leaves, oblong, and about an Inch in Length.
Mr. _Harford_, the King's Apothecary, made me a Present of two large
Boxes full of _Tea_, of different Colours: In the one Box, which
contained the green, I found neither Stalks, nor Flowers, nor Seeds of
the Plant, but only the Leaves; but, in turning over the _Bohea Tea_,
contained in the other Box, I found three Stalks, so nearly resembling
those of the _Myrtle_, that, not only Mr. _Harford_ and I, but also
some others, thought that they might be justly accounted the Stalks of
the _Myrtle:_ This, in so dubious a Case, is a pretty strong Argument,
that _Bohea Tea_ is adulterated with _Myrtle_, which may, very
properly, be substituted, in its stead, or rather exactly agrees with
it. This blacker Species of _Tea_, or _Myrtle_, is far cheaper among
the _Indians_ than the green Kind. The celebrated _Olaus Wormius_, on
account of the vast Diversity in the Leaves of _Tea_, suspects that the
Leaves of some other Plant are often sold in their Stead. This also,
as I before observed, often happens with respect to _Tobacco_. That I
might not, however, be charged with Rashness, or falsly accusing the
_Asiatics_ of Fraud, I thought it incumbent upon me, attentively to
view the _Chinese Tea_; for which Purpose, I ordered Mr. _Harford_'s
two Apprentices, to pick out some of the largest, and most perfect
_Tea_ Leaves, to be macerated in warm Water, and then spread and
unfolded: Accordingly they shewed me ten, which were neither lacerated,
nor torn; and two of the most perfect of which were accurately engraved
by _Albert Halwey_, the King's Engraver. See _Histor. Cochlear. 4.
Class. Quadripartit. Botantic_. These Leaves were of different Shapes
and Bulks, but so like those of the _Chamelæagnus_, that the one
could hardly be distinguished from the other. The Leaves of the green
Kind seemed to be produced by an Herb, or Shrub, of a quite different
Species from the _Chamelæagnus_, the Leaves of which, when gathered
small, and in the _Spring_, make, in my Opinion, the most genuine
_Tea_.
But though I have before shewn, from the Authority of _Bauhine_,
that the Leaves of one and the same _Chamelæagnus_, sport and vary
considerably from each other; yet, I would not, because this may
also probably happen to the _Chinese Tea_, have any one infer, that,
in _China_, the _Tea_, which some maintain to be the _Cha_ of the
_Tartars_, is not adulterated. I am, indeed, of Opinion, that it is
adulterated, but never either affirmed, or so much as intended to
insinuate, that Nature sported and varied so in the _Chamelæagnus_,
either of the _Tartars_, or _Europeans_, as to produce Leaves of a
different Species: Nor is this Variation, and Sporting of Nature,
surprizing in the _Chamelæagnus_; since it is equally, if not more,
palpable, in Prunes of different Colours, Peaches, Apricots, sweet and
bitter Almonds, and the Leaves produced by these Trees. I have often
carefully viewed and turned over all the three Thousand Plants, with
which my Repository is enriched, in order to see whether any of them
resembled the spurious _Chinese Tea_, or that with which the genuine
is adulterated; and I found the Leaves of two Shrubs highly similar to
those of the spurious _Tea_: The one is by _Carolus Clusius_ in _Lib.
5. Rarior. Plantar. Histor. Cap. 20._ called _Pyrola quarta Fruticans_;
and _Bauhine_, in his _Pinax_, calls it the _Pyrola Frutescens Arbuti
Folio_: The other is a Shrub, called by _Clusius_, in _Lib. 1. Histor.
Plant. Cap. 53_, the _Spiræa Theophrasti_, and by _Bauhine_, _Frutex
Spicatus Foliis Salignis Serratus dictus_.
As it was expedient to compare my Description of the _Chinese Tea_
with those which _Dodonæus_ gives of the Herb _Betony_, and the
_Chamelæagnus_; so, in this Place, I think it proper to insert the
Descriptions which _Clusius_ has given of the _Pyrola Fruticans_, and
the _Spiræa Theophrasti_; the former of which he describes in the
following Manner: "One Genus of this Plant is sometimes of a shrubby
Nature; for new, short, and small Branches springing up every Year,
remain firm and green for some Years, and rise above the Earth, till by
their own Weight they bend downwards, hide themselves in the Ground,
and sometimes send out fibrous Roots. Two, three, or four small
carnous Leaves generally grow between the Nods: The superior Parts
of these Leaves are of a deep green Colour, and shining, whilst, in
Form and Bulk, they almost resemble those of the _Chamædaphne_, or
_Laureola_, only they are serrated about the Edges, and of an highly
drying and bitterish Taste, like the Leaves of the other Species of
_Pyrolæ_." These last Words ought carefully to be adverted to. The
same _Clusius_, in _Lib. 1._ in _Rarior Plantar. Histor._ describes
the _Spiræa_ in the following Manner: "It rises to about the Height
of two Cubits, with small Branches, or Twigs, covered with a reddish
Bark. Among these Branches arise, without any Order, numerous, long,
and narrow Leaves, resembling those of the Willow, serrated about
the Edges, with their superior Surfaces of a faint green, and their
inferior as if they were besprinkled with Verdegrease: They are of a
drying and kind of bitter Taste." The last Words of this Description
are also to be carefully adverted to, since the Leaves of _Tea_
are not only serrated, but also of a drying and bitter Taste. As,
therefore, the _Pyrola Fruticans_ of _Clusius_, and the _Spiræa_
of _Theophrastus_, and especially the former, are of a drying and
bitterish Taste, it is highly probable, that the _Chinese Tea_ may
be adulterated with one, or both of these; especially, since they
not only greatly resemble each other in Form, but also in Taste. A
Cut of one Leaf of the _Pyrola_, I have annexed to the Description
of _Scurvy-Grass_, in my _Quadripartitium_, No. 9. and another of a
_Tea-Leaf_, produced in _China_. As for a Cut of the _Spiræa_, the
Curious may have recourse to _Clusius_, or they may find one Leaf of
it accurately engraved in Plate 2, of this Work; where two Leaves of
_Chinese Tea_ are engraved. The larger of these is so like the _Spiræa_
of _Theophrastus_, both in Length, Breadth, Bulk, the Course of the
Veins, and the Disposition of the Crenations, that there is hardly the
smallest Possibility of distinguishing the one from the other: But both
these Leaves are vastly unlike to that _Tea_ Leaf which, in No. 7. of
the last cited Plate, I ordered to be engraved, with the _Cochlearia
Danica_: But the other small uncrenated Leaf is like the _Chinese Tea_,
as the latter is like the _Chamelæagnus_, which, as I have already
observed, sports and varies very surprizingly in its Leaves: This
latter, I take to be genuine _Tea_; whereas, I am of Opinion, that the
former, resembling the _Spiræa_, is spurious. Since, therefore, both
_Tartary_ and _China_, abound with the _Pyrola_, and the _Spiræa_ of
_Theophrastus_, I think we have just Reason to conclude, that all the
Leaves sold among us for _Tea_, have not been gathered from one Species
of Shrub, or Herb, but are adulterated with those of the _Pyrola_,
the _Spiræa_, or some other Shrub; among which, we may justly reckon
the _Rhus_, or _Sumach_, on account of the Similarity of its Leaves,
Flowers, Taste, and Bulk; though I am sensible, that the celebrated
_Bauhine_, in his _Pinax_, has placed it among the Species of _Agnus
Castus_, and made it a Kind of intermediate Plant, between the _Vitex_
and _Ligustrum_, calling it Frutex _Spicatus Foliis Salignis serratis_.
In consequence of this, it seems dubious to what Kind of Shrubs it
is principally to be referred: Its Flowers grow in a spicated Order,
on the Tops of the Twigs, like those of the _Agnus Castus_; so that
the _Spiræa_ very much resembles the _Vitex_: But, when the Flowers,
and crenated Leaves of the _Spiræa_, are accurately viewed, we find,
that it is more justly referred to the _Rhus_, or _Sumach_, than to
any other Species of Shrub. As neither _Theophrastus_, _Clusius_, nor
_Bodæus a Stapelen_, have mentioned its Virtues, I shall not assert
that they agree exactly with these of the _Chinese Tea_; only, it
is highly probable, that the _Chinese Tea_ is adulterated with the
_Spiræa_, either by the _Asiatic_ or _European_ Dealers. Avarice has
not only prompted People to this Piece of Fraud, but also to lodge
_Tobacco_ in Office-Houses, in order to render it more acrid. In order
to evince how like the _Chinese_, or _Japonese Tea_ is to the _Spiræa_,
I refer the Reader to _Tab. 1. Fig. 6, & 7_, the former of which is a
Leaf of _Tea_, and the latter that of the _Spiræa_.
Happening one Day to visit _Hieronymus Molmanus_, a learned Jesuit,
to whom I communicated my Paradox about _Tea_; that Gentleman, upon
my commending _Trigautius_ and _Rhodius_, ordered me to read _Martini
Martinii novus Atlas Sinensis_, as the best and latest Account of the
_East Indies_, or rather of _China_. When I found this Work, I was
glad to meet with a Description of the _Cha_, in the Account of the
Town _Hojechu_ in _Nanquin_, in which the Author affirms, that it is
no where better and more valuable. _Martinius_ informs us, that the
_Chinese Tea_ belongs to the _Rhus_, and is highly similar to it:
But this _Rhus_, as I have already shewn from _Pliny_, _Clusius_,
_Dodonæus_, and _Dalechampius_, is the same with our _Chamelæagnus_.
Hence, it is not only obvious in itself, but confirmed by the Authority
of _Martinius_, that the _Chinese_ are guilty of Fraud and Imposture in
adulterating their _Tea_.
The Description which _Martinius_ gives of the _Thee_, is as follows:
"The Leaves, most commonly known by the Name of _Cha_, are no where
more valuable, than in the Province of _Nanquin_; and, for the Sake of
the Curious, I shall describe them as briefly as possible. The Leaf
is exactly similar to that produced by the _Rhus Coriaria_; and I am
apt to think the former is a certain Species of the latter, though
the _Thee_ is not wild, but cultivated, is not a Tree, but a Kind of
Shrub, sending forth various small Branches: The Flowers of the one
do not much differ from those of the other, except that those of the
latter are of a more yellowish White than those of the former. The
_Tea_ flowers in the _Spring_, and the Flower emits a gently fragrant
Smell. It is succeeded by a green Berry, which soon assumes a blackish
Colour: The tender Leaves appearing in the _Spring_, are thought best.
These, when gathered, they put into an Iron Pan, over a slow Fire,
and heat them a little; then they put them in a thin fine Cloth,
and again expose them to the Fire, till they are intirely dry, and
shrunk up. When thus prepared, they generally keep them close stopped
leaden Vessels, in order to prevent Evaporation, and the free Access
of the Air. After they have been kept a long Time, they resume their
primitive Verdure, and expand themselves when put into boiling Water,
in which they produce a greenish Colour, and communicate to it a pretty
grateful Taste, especially to those who are accustomed to drink it. The
_Chinese_ greatly extol the Virtues of this warm Liquor, which they
frequently use by Day and Night, making it the common Entertainment
for Strangers and Visitors. The Price is very various, since a Pound
ascends from an Halfpenny, to two, or more, _Nobles_: To this Liquor,
it is principally said to be owing, that the _Chinese_ are never
afflicted with the Gout and Stone. When drank after Meals, it removes
Crudity and Indigestion, for it greatly assists Concoction: It affords
Relief after hard Drinking, and Surfeits of every Kind; for it is of
a drying Quality, removes superfluous Humours, expels somniferous
Vapours, and prevents Drowsiness and Oppression in those who incline to
study: It has various Names in _China_, according to the Places where
it is produced, and the different Prices of it. The best in _Nanquin_,
is generally called _Sunglocha_. For a farther Account, the Curious may
consult _Rhodius de Regno Tunking_." _Martinius_ also informs us, that
the City _Luchen_, in the Province of _Kiangnan_, is celebrated both
for the great Quantities, and the Goodness of its _Tea_.
I could heartily wish, that all the practical Physicians in _Europe_
would concur to giving a Sanction to this Doctrine by their Practice;
for, besides the Testimonies of _Trigautius_ and _Rhodius_, I am
certain from Experience, that the _Cha_ is the _Rhus Coriaria_, or a
certain Species of it, whose Qualities and Marks are known from what
has been already said. I do not, in the least, doubt, but the _Cha_ of
the _Tartars_, or the _Thee_ of the _Chinese_, is our _Chamelæagnus_,
or _Pliny_'s Herb _Rhus_; especially since _Clusius_, in _Auctar.
Exoticor. Libror_. expresly asserts, that from the Cuts of some
_Chinese_ Books, which _Pavius_ and _Joseph Scaliger_ received in a
Present from some _East India_ Merchants, though coarsely engraved,
he perceived that many _Chinese_ Plants are exactly similar to some
of those produced in _Europe_. This Circumstance renders it highly
probable, that _China_ which borders upon _Tartary_, produces our
_Chamelæagnus_. I am heartily sorry, however, that I have not had an
Opportunity of conversing with _Martinius_ on this Subject, since,
according to _Galen_, in _Lib. de Compos. Med. Cap. 3._ reading an
Author's Works, is not so satisfactory, as a personal Conversation with
him. However, as I have only followed Reason, and the Course of my own
Thoughts, I hope I shall have no Cause to repent my Labour; since,
according to _Cornelius Tacitus_, in _Annal. 15._ many Things are
obtained by Experiments and Efforts, which, to the lazy and sluggish
Part of Mankind, seemed highly difficult, if not impossible. Thus
the _Romans_, by Bravery and Activity, raised their originally petty
State, to a most extensive and powerful Empire. _Columbus_ discovered
_America_ by Reading and making Efforts for that Purpose. _Copernicus_,
and _Ticho Brahe_, by their extensive Acquaintance with Mathematics,
discovered and demonstrated many important Things, unknown to our
Forefathers. The illustrious _Hoffman_, in _Paralcip. Officinal_,
when giving a noble Scope to his Imagination, in the Investigation
of Mineral Waters, tells us, that the advancing probable Things, is
an Advantage to the Cause of Truth, and was always looked upon as
such by _Plato_, _Aristotle_, _Galen_, and all other Philosophers.
Notwithstanding the incomparable Learning and Industry of _Martinius_,
I cannot comprehend some Things in his Description of _Tea_; for I
cannot conceive why he asserts, that the _Rhus Coriaria_ is not wild,
but cultivated among the _Chinese_; since _Matthiolus_, _Bauhine_, and
_Hoffman_, do not, with _Galen_, make a Distinction between the _Rhus
Coriaria_, and _Culinaria_, which, by _Trigautius_ and _Rhodius_, is
called the _Cha_, or _Thee_; but if _Martinius_ had mentioned the
_Myrtle_, I should have conjectured, that he followed other Botanists,
who exclude the _Myrtus Sylvestris Dioscoridis_, in the Shops known by
the Name _Ruscus_, or _Bruscus_, from the Species of true _Myrtles_.
Thus _Marcellus Virgilius_, in _Comment. in Dioscorid. Lib. 1. Cap.
132._ makes a great Difference between them in the following Passage:
"The _Myrtus Sativa_ of _Pliny_, which I describe in this Chapter,
is not like other Plants, sown in continued Tracts of Ground; and
though it thrives better in Gardens, than in uncultivated Soils, this
is not the only Difference between it and the _Myrtus Agrestis_,
which is a Plant of an intirely different Kind, which the _Greeks_
call _Oxymyrsene_, and the _Latins_, _Ruscus_; for, upon Comparison,
the _Myrtle_ is milder than the _Ruscus_, whose cuspidated Leaves
are pricking and sharp. It is, however, certain, that the _Ruscus_
was, by some of the Antients, called _Myrtus Sylvestris_." I do not
remember, that any Botanist has brought such a Charge against our
_Chamelæagnus_, since it is universally enumerated among the Species
of true _Myrtle_, though of the wild Kind. The Reason why _Martinius_
calls the _Chamelæagnus_ a cultivated Plant, as I suppose, is, because
the _Chinese_, seeing us so fond of _Tea_, have begun to cultivate
it, in order to draw the Profits arising from it, just as the
_Europeans_ do the Vine, for the Sake of the Grapes, the _Persians_
the _Mulberry-Tree_, for the Silk; the Inhabitants of _Narbon_ and
_Provence_, the _Ilex Coceigera_, for the Sake of the _Cochineal_; or
the _Americans_ the _Tobacco_, on account of the large Quantities of
it imported into _Europe_. As _Trigautius_ thinks it not impossible
for _Tea_ to grow in some Parts of _Europe_, and as _Rhodius_ affirms,
that the _Chinese_ are as busy in the Time of gathering their _Tea_,
as the _Europeans_ are in their Harvest; so, it is probable, that some
Tracts of Land may be sown with _Tea_ in _China_; notwithstanding
which, it is more agreeable to the usual Way of speaking, to call _Tea_
rather a wild, than cultivated Shrub. The _Chinese_ also, according
to _Rhodius_, do not gather all the Leaves produced by the Shrub, but
only such as appear first in the _Spring_, and are soft and tender,
which they also gather, one after another. Hence I infer, that the
Leaves in the _Summer_, are very unlike those in the _Spring_, which
is also observed in those of our _Chamelæagnus_, with respect to
Softness, Smoothness, and Colour; so that it is not to be wondered
at, if the _Chinese Chamelæagnus_ appears milder than our own; since
they collect, prepare, and dry theirs in a quite different Manner from
us: "For, first, they put it in an Iron Pan, and warm it gently over
a slow Fire; then, they wrap it up in a smooth, thin Cloth, and again
expose it to the Fire, till it is corrugated, and shrivelled up."
Hence it is, that our _Chamelæagnus_, when macerated in warm Water, is
of a different Colour, Taste, and Smell from the _Chinese Tea_, though
their Effects are the same, only those of the former are stronger and
more considerable than those of the latter. If, therefore, in our
Country, the _Chamelæagnus_ was gathered with the same Circumstances,
Pains, and Precautions observed by the _Chinese_, I doubt not but
it would be equal to, their _Tea_; for if the same Measures are not
taken in the Preparation of the same Herb, how is it possible, that it
should produce similar and uniform Effects, especially if the one is
gathered in the _Spring_, and the other in the End of the _Summer_:
The one artificially dried in the House, and the other dried in the
open Air by the Heat of the Sun; the one collected when it begins to
appear, and other when the Plant is full of a roscid, sulphureous Dew,
and bears Flowers, and Seeds. For this Reason, _Scherbius_ justly
observes, "That when many Things concur to the Production of the same
Effect; all these Things ought to be exactly the same." _Hoffman_, in
_Comment. Lib. 7._ represents this Doctrine in the following accurate
and beautiful Manner: "Individual Objects often appear to our Senses to
have no Difference; whereas, a very considerable one is observed in
their Effects. This Circumstance constitutes that Individuality, which
cannot be described, and which, I remember, _Scherbius_, my old Master,
used to illustrate by the following _Simile_: If a Bell-Founder should
make twenty small Bells, of the same Metal, in the same Mould, at the
same Time, and in the same Place; yet the Sound of no one of them will
be perfectly similar to that of another. What can be the Cause of this
Variation? The Artist, the Mould, the Metal, and the Fire, concur to
produce the same Effects, which, however, is not obtained. Besides,
if we were carefully to examine these Bells by the Sight, the Touch,
the Weight and other Circumstances, we can discover no Difference;
which, however, is sufficiently evinced by the Sound. Some Things, said
my Matter, can neither be described, nor expressed, and of this Kind
are these Differences. Perhaps, in this Case, there is not an equable
Thickness of the Metal, because the Fire has not equably pervaded all
its Particles. Perhaps the Surface is not every where smooth because
the fused Metal might have been in some Parts more refrigerated than
in others: and perhaps, there maybe other Variations; for, unless
all Circumstances exactly concur, the same Sound cannot be produced
in all the Bells." I have quoted this Passage from _Hoffman_, lest
any Person, observing some Differences between our _Chamelæagnus_,
and the _Chinese_, or _Tartars Tea_, should forthwith doubt,--whether
they are Shrubs of the same Species, as I have already proved them to
be. The _Chinese Tea_, therefore, and our _Chamelæagnus_, are Shrubs
of the same Species; though, for the former, we go beyond the _Cape
of Good Hope_, into _China_, cross the _Equator_ four Times in every
Voyage, and expose ourselves to uncommon Hardships and Dangers, in
order to bring Home the Leaves of an unknown Shrub, which has not the
same Virtues and Qualities for which the _Chinese Tea_ is celebrated
in _China_, and to which our _European Betony_ is preferable. Since,
therefore, the _Chamelæagnus_ is now sufficiently known, we have no
more Occasion for _Tea_ from _China_, than we have for _Arum_ from
_Asia_, _Wormwood_ from _Pontus_, or _Scordium_ from _Crete_.