The Sentinel. [volume] (Trenton, N.J.) 1880-1882, 1882-03-25

Thea genus of shrubs of the natu-
raj order. Iernstrenidceae, very
nearly attend to the genus Camsllta
and distinguished from 1t only by he
the not deciduous calyx, and by the
dissepiments remaining connected in
the centre of the capsule after 1t opens.
The genus seems to derive Its sole Inn
portance from q single species the
Chinese Tea Thea Ssnensis), the
dried leaves of which are the tea of
commerce, and which yields the most
extensively used of all non-alcoholic
beverages. The shrub grows twenty
to thirty feet high in its natural state,
but in cultivation is kept down to
five to six with numerous branches.
It's leaves are lanceolate two to six
inches long. The flowers grow singly
or two or three together in the axis of
the leaves they are rather large,
white, and fragrant, with five parted
calyx, six to nine, petals and many
stamens.
There are many varieties Of the
plant: Thea aridis was formerly sup
posed to yield green tea; Thea bahea
was formerly supposed to yield black
tea, and Thea stricto, but the manipu
lations of the manufacture really pro-
duces the different sorts as we know
them In daily use.
The cultivation of the plant in China
is mainly confined to north latitude
40 to $50 but has beer successfully
grown in the vicinity of Pekin, which
is In the latitude Of Philadelphia, and
has a very similar climate. It is,
however, a sub-tropical plant, and
bears tropical climate well, but can
accommodate itself to cold winters, rs
at Pekin, and has been known to bear
the frosts of winter at London, in Eng
land, without protection.
1t Is probably native in Corea,
whence 1t was introduced into China
In early antiquity, and into Japan
about the ninth century, and Europe
at the end of the sixteenth.
The effects of tea on the human sys-
tenn are those of very mild narcotic,
and like those of any other narcotic
taken in small quantities, exhilirating.
OF all narcotics, however, tea Is the
least pernicious, If indeed it be so In
any degree. 1t acts likewise as a d.
uretic and diaphsretic and power
fully assists digestion.
Numerous odoIiferous plants, as the
eowslip, colored blossoms of the
sweet-scented olive (Oled .troora,ss),
have been used to communicate a
specially fragrant scent to tea but its
adulteration has never been very gen.
orally attempted or successful
It's analysis shows it to contain: LIST,
volatile or essential oil I'd, theme
or Catherine; Sd, heterogeneous com
pound analogous to caseine or gluten :;
4th, modification of tannin, besides
gum, sugar, starch, fat, woody fibre,
salts, etc. The volatile oil gives to tea
Its peculiar aroma or flavor. The pro-
portion in which it exists is according
to Miller about 0.79 in green, and 0.6
per cent. il black tea.
The proportion of theme or Catherine
Is small, and has the remarkable eff
feet of diminishing the daily waste or
disintegration of the bodily tissues.
And If the waste be lessened, the ne
cessity for food to repair that waste
will OBVIOUSLY be diminished in equal
proportions. In other words, saws
Professor Johnston, blythe eonsum ption
of a certain quantity of tea, the health
and strength of the body will be main
tanned in an equal degree upon q
smaller quantity of ordinary food.
Tea therefore saves food-stands TO
certain extent in place OF food-while
at the same time it SCOT YES the body
and eniivens the mind.
Much has been written on the
dietetie and medical uses of tea, and
as is usually the case the doctors dis.
agree but the weight of the testimony
appears to settle this, that it is preju-
dicial 10 young children, and Is not
suitable drink till the growth be at
tanned. With adults, each may be
safely left to reject or use it as his ex-
perience and common sense may die
tate.