In regard to the effects of Tea on the human constitution, one might have imagined that long and general use would have furnished so many indisputable proofs of its good and bad properties, that nothing could be easier than to determine these with precision: yet so difficult a thing is it to establish physical certainty in regard to the operation of food or medicines on the human body, that our knowledge in general, even with respect to this article, is very imperfect. Nevertheless, I have endeavoured to avail myself of what has been written on this subject by my predecessors with the appearance of reason, as well as of the conversation of learned and ingenious men now living, together with such experiments and observations as have occurred to me, so as to furnish the means of a more extensive knowledge of the subject. * * * * * With respect to the present edition, subsequent information has enabled me to enlarge it with some important additions. Since the period of the original publication, the Tea-tree has been introduced into many of our gardens, and afforded the means of ascertaining its botanical characters. I have, at the same time, the pleasure to observe, that the first edition has received the approbation of some of the most distinguished botanists. Linnæus, as well as Haller, as soon as they had perused it, conveyed to me their approbation, in the kindest manner: Murray and Cullen, and recently Schreber, have made frequent references to its authorities. If these distinguished characters have approved the former, I am encouraged to hope that the present edition will not be less favourably received by the publick. CONTENTS. PART I. THE NATURAL HISTORY OF THE TEA TREE. Section I. Class and Order page 1 II. Synonyma 8 III. Authors upon Tea 10 IV. Origin of Tea 19 V. Soil and Culture 26 VI. Gathering the Leaves 29 VII. Method of curing or preparing Tea 33 VIII. Varieties of Tea 38 IX. Drinking of Tea 48 X. Succedanea 50 XI. Preserving the Seeds for Vegetation 54 PART II. THE MEDICAL HISTORY OF TEA 59 THE NATURAL HISTORY OF THE TEA-TREE. _PART THE FIRST._ SECTION I. CLASS XIII. ORDER I. POLYANDRIA MONOGYNIA.