of Carpodontos, a genus which, with the foliage of the latter order, has the fruit of the former;
and also of certain plants of Hypericacese, which, according to Cambessedes, have a definite
number of seeds. With Marcgraaviacem they agree through Norantea, which has the stamens
slightly adherent to the base of the petals, and fixed anthers ; but that order is entirely different
in habit, and is well marked by its singular cucullate bracts, its fruit, and its wingless exalbu-
minous seeds. Many genera of Ternstromiaceae, such as Kielmeyera and others, have the
habit of Tiliacese, while the fruit of Laplacese is strikingly like that of Luhea; but the estivation
of the calyx and many other characters distinguish them.”
G eographical D istribution. The species of this order are for the most part tropical
plants, some however, nearly confining themselves to the more elevated and cooler regions.
The Gordonias and Cleyeras of the Peninsula and Ceylon are with one exception, so far we yet
know, from the highest hills, that one is from Courtallum. The Neilgherries, the Pulney mountains,
the elevated, regions of Nuera Elba in Ceylon, all produce species of one or both of-these
genera, while the on the lower hills I have only once seen or heard of either. Eurya and Cochlos-
permum on the other hand, both descend to the plains. Ternstrsemia is found at Courtallum ia
the shady jungles covering its hills. Camellia has not yet, so far as I have, heard, been found
either in the Peninsula or in Ceylon.
Of the whole order 40 species are enumerated as Indian in Dr. Wallich’s list of Indian
plants, whether all these will stand the test of further and more miuute examination than, in
the circumstances under which that list was prepared it was possible to give, appears,
doubtful, but whether or not, it seems certain that the amount of Indian species brought to
light of late years is very considerable, since, at the date of the publication of the first volume of
DeCandolle’s Prodromus (1824) of sixty-two species known, for the whole world, only 19
were of Asiatic origin, nearly all the rest were from the West Indies and continent of America.
Dr. Lindley states ie that between 60 and 70, all beautiful trees or shrubs are found in South
America, while a few only are known from the northern division of that continent.”
The geographical distribution of the order in India, both generally and individually, as regards
particular genera and species, has recently attracted much attention with reference to the extension
of the cultivation of the tea plant, it having hitherto been supposed, that it would not
thrive, at least to such a degree as to render its culture an object of commercial importance,
beyond the limits of those districts in China whence the produce has been so long and so largely
exported.
P roperties and U ses. These are but little known, and probably with the exception of
Tea, are of but secondary importance. As ornamental objects, several species are largely cultivated,
but above all the Camellia japonica, the pride of gardeners. The seeds of C. frleifera
afford an excellent table oil and I dare say a similar is extracted from the seeds of the tea plant
in those districts were it abounds, as they are known to.contain so much oil, that it is difficult
to keep them in a state fit for vegitation for even a few weeks. I do not h ow e v e r find it any
where mentioned that the seeds are so applied. Some species are employed in America for
medicinal purposes, and in some parts of this country the gum of Cochlospermum Gossyphim
(the yellow flowered cotton tree) is used as a substitute for gum Tragacanth. None of the
species of the order are mentioned by Ainslie, in his Materia Medica, whence it would ^appear,
they are but little it at all known to the native practitioners of India. On the properties of tea
it would be out of place to dilate, since almost every one can give some account of them from
personal experience, but on the capabilities of this country fo r its production a few remarks
might be offered as the subject is one, at the present time, engrossing much attention.
The very elaborate dissertations of Messrs. Royle, McClelland, and Griffith, have put us in
possession of much, and most valuable information, bearing on nearly every branch of the inquiry.
Messrs. Royle and Griffith discuss in great detail the various points relating to the vegetable
statistics of the plant,' more especially those appertaining to its climatic habits, and
the vegitation with which it is associated in its native country, in the hope of discovering
from these data whether the climate it prefers, partakes more o f" the tropical or
temperate character ; that is, whether the tea plant, indigenous as it is to the tropics and their
immediate confines, yet seeks the cool climate of high hills, or is contented to submit to the
warmth of the plains i and lastly to ascertain whether, in attempting to extend its cultivation
to our Indian possessions, we should locate it on a dry rather poor soil, with an open exposure
on4he hills, or in low, moist, shady places, on the plains.
Mr. McClelland examines with equal care and success, the peculiarities of the soil in
regard to its geological relations, and chemical qualities: the character of the climate with
reference to its humidity and heat : the -quantity of rain that falls, the degree to which the
country is overcast with .clouds and mist, and the effect of these last on the distribution of the
plant over the valley of Assam.
To attempt a detailed recapitulation of the facts and arguments adduced on all sides, bearing
on the questions discussed in these papers, would take much more time and space than I can now
devote to the subject, but as I think I have succeeded in making myself master of the leading
features of the inquiry I shall endeavour to place before the reader a summary of the results.
Mr, Royle, in a very elaborate article on the subject, in his Illustrations of the Botany of
,the Himalayan mountains, comes to the conclusion, that, the Tea plant is virtually a native of a
.temperate climate, and that the slopes of these mountains afford the most proper climate and
soil for the growth and culture of this plant, the former, as partaking of the character of the
-tropics during one half of the year, and of the temperate zone the remainder; the latter as
being formed from the detritus of primitive rocks. In arriving at this conclusion, which is
.nearly in accordance with the opinion advanced by Dr. Abel, whom he seems to consider beyond
-all comparison -the best authority, Mr. Royle has evidently been misled, by reposing too great confidence
in his guide, since, strange to say, the inference is at variance with nearly the whole oft he
evidence adduced by himself in support of it. Were the case really such as he puts it, the south
of Europe would afford nearly every .requisite for the successful cultivation of tea, but I greatly
fear if ever put to the test of experiment, that some of the principal requisites will be found
wanting. His views are however so well supported, and the contradictory evidence on which they
;are made to rest, so ingeniously explained away, that much difficulty must hav-e been experienced
m detecting his errors, had not actual and careful examination of the circumstances under which the
plant-isproduced in its native country, enabled the deputation of the Tea committee who went
to examine them, to point o,ut the very erroneous nature of the opinions advocated by Dr. Abel,
-which Mr. Royle had adopted, and supported with such a fruitless expenditure of ingenious
reasoning.
From the investigations of the deputation it appears, that so far from being a plant seeking
the cool climate, clear sky, and dry soil afforded by the combined operation of elevation, free exposure
to light, and the rapid drainage of alpine slopes, that the very opposite of all these, are the
circumstances in which, in its native country, it seems to delight. There it was found on
mounds but little elevated above inundation, but in a porous absorbent soil, under the shade
of trees so dense that the rays of the sun could scarcely penetrate, and what is still more remarkable,
was confined to one side of the valley of Assam, so subject to be covered with thick
mists and fogs during the coql season, that it was estimated to enjoy less sunshine by 2 hours daily
than the other,where the plant was never seen, though in the enjoyment of a clear sky,bright sun-
chine, and a temperature greatly reduced by the vicinity of snow-capped hills. The climate of
Assam all accounts agree in representing as very humid with a moderate range of temperature,
rainy wet weather prevailing through the greater part of the year, and often dark and foggy in
the intervals. Thus Mr. Griffith observes Hart. Trans, vol. 5 page 145.
“ With regard to humidity Assam may be considered as enjoying the maximum. The
rains are of long continuance; they commence in March and laist till about the middle of
October. During May, June, July, August and September, the fall is steady but not very
severe. During March and April the fall is irregular, often accompanied by violent squalls
Worn the S. W. November and Jauuary are the only months throughout the year on which
o erable reliance can be placed for a continuance of fine weather, as rain always falls about
the middle of December.”
, The following seem to be ,th.e .points meriting most attention in respect to the peculiarities
soil, climate, and exposure favourable to the growth of the tea plant, as observed in its native
jungles in Assam, and which of course ought to be, as much as possible, sought after in
attempting its cultivation elsewhere. They are extracted from the reports of Messrs. Griffith
ancl McClelland published,in .the 4th and 5th volumes of the transactions of the Horticultural
society of India.