Species with the _Tea_ of the _Tartars_ and _Chinese_: But, lest my own Authority should be questioned, I shall, from that of other Botanists, prove this surprizing Variation in our own _Chamelæagnus_. I am indeed sorry that the _Chamelæagnus_ is not sufficiently and fully treated of, either in the last Edition of _Tabernemontanus_, or in the _Ebrodunense Herbarium_. But we must supply this Defect from _Bauhine_, who, in _Pinax. 40. Lib. 11. Sect. 4._ tells us, "That the _Rhus Myrtifolia Belgica_, or _Chamelæagnus_, has its Leaves sometimes broad, and sometimes narrow; and I have been told by Dr. _Backmaster_, that its Leaves are sometimes crenated like those of a Shrub; such as the _Rosemary_ of the _Northern_ Nations, or our own _Myrtle_." In 1622, when walking in a Copsy Field, near _Rostock_, I broke off a small Twig of this _Chamelæagnus_ in the _Spring_, before it was in the Flower. This I carefully preserved till it was fully dry, and found the Leaves exactly to resemble those of the _Chinese Tea_, in Tenderness, Size, Colour, and Crenations. But that this Affinity and Resemblance might be still farther evinced, I have, in _Quadripartit. Botan._ given a Cut of one of the tender Leaves of the _Chamelæagnus_, gathered in the _Spring_, and another of a full grown Leaf, gathered in the _Summer_; and to these I have added two Cuts of _Tea_ Leaves, produced in _China_: But, some may object, that the _Chinese Tea_ differs from the _Chamelæagnus_, because, according to _Rhodius_, the Leaves of the former appear in the Beginning of the _Spring_ at _Nanquin_ and _Chim_; and, when dried, are so far from resembling Leaves, that they rather seem to be small Buds or Gems of Shrubs, or Trees: Whereas, the Branches of our _Chamelæagnus_ are not cut, till the Middle, or latter End of the _Summer_, and are negligently hung up in the Shops, with the Leaves, Seeds, and Flowers. These Circumstances, I confess, must produce a considerable Difference in these Leaves, not only with respect to Colour and Smell, but also, perhaps, with respect to Qualities and Virtues. If I should be asked, whether it is expedient to recommend the _Chamelæagnus_ as a Succedaneum, to the _Chinese Tea_? I answer, it is highly expedient. If it should be said, that it affects the Head; I reply, so does _Betony_, which procures a certain Hilarity, or Agility, to the Brain and Members, by which Means, it greatly invigorates the Animal Faculty: For this specific Quality of _Tea_, it is so much used by Statesmen, in order to render them brisk and active, for the Discharge of their Offices: For this Class of Men, as well as Physicians, are allowed Angular and uncommon Indulgences by _Plato_, in _Lib. 3. de Republica_. "The Gods, _says he_, can obtain no good End by lying to Mortals; but, a Lie may be useful to sick Persons; for which Reason Lying is pardonable in Physicians, immediately employed in their Business, but not at all in Persons of a private Character.