[60] This shrub I have frequently met with in the West-Indies. [61] Two specimens of this plant are now in the physic garden at Upsal. About the year 1755, they were brought over from China by M. Lagerstrom, a director of the Swedish East-India Company, under the supposition of being Tea-plants, till they appeared in blossom, when they proved to be this species of Tsubakki, called by Linnæus, Camellia. Spec. Plant, p. 982. This celebrated Naturalist says, “That the leaves of his Camellia are so like the true Tea, that they would deceive the most skilful botanist; the only difference is, that they are a little broader.” Amœnit. Academ. Vol. VII. p. 251. See also Ellis’s Directions for bringing over foreign Plants, p. 28. A Camellia was brought in 1771 from China in good health; the leaves of this shrub end in a double obtuse point (obtusely emarginated) like those of the Tea tree, which makes them still more liable to be mistaken for those of the latter. Kæmpfer observes, that the leaves of a species of Tsubakki are preserved, and mixed with Tea, to give it a fine flavour. Amœnit. Exotic. p. 858. It is now a common plant in the green-houses about London. [62] Mich. Frid. Lochner, de novis Theæ et Coffeæ Succedaneis. Hall. 1717. 4to. Veronica officinalis. Flor. Suec. p. 12. Veronica Chamædr. Fl. Suec. p. 18. Pechlin Theophilus bibaculus, Franckfort. 1684. Francus, de Veronica vel Theezantem. Coburg. 1690. 12mo. 1700. 12mo. Paris, sub titulo, le Thè de l’Europe. 1704 and 1707, 12mo. Frid. Hoffman de infusi Veronicæ efficacia præferenda herbæ Theæ, Hall. an. 1694. 4to. [63] Fr. Afforty & Jos. de Tournefort ergo potus ex Salvia salubris, 1695. Wedel, de Salvia, 4to. 1707. Jena. Paulini nobilis salvia Ang. Vindel. an. 1688. 8vo. [64] Simon Paulli de abusu Theæ et Tabaci. Strasburg, 1665. Lond. 1746. [65] Botanical writers celebrate this herb for its many virtues; hence arose the Italian proverb, “_Vende la tonica, et compra la Betonica_.” [66] In the year 1776, an act was passed for the more effectual prevention of the manufacturing of ash, elder, sloe, and other leaves, in imitation of Tea; and to prevent frauds in the revenue of Excise in respect to Tea, 17 George III. chap. 29, being an amendment of the act 4 George II. intituled, “An Act to prevent Frauds in the Revenue of Excise with respect to Starch, Coffee, Tea, and Chocolate.” In the Appendix, from Sir George Staunton’s Embassy to China, this is particularly detailed. [67] Joseph Serer Lettera sopra la bevanda del Caffé Europæo, Veron. An. 1730. Rose leaves are here substituted for those of Tea. Godofred. Thomasius Thea ex Rosis in Cent III. Nat. curiosor. n. 199. See also Cent. vij. obs. 15. by J. A. Fischer.