A Treatise on Tobacco, Tea, Coffee, and Chocolate

by Simon Paulli

Therefore, they are all of the same Species and Kind.

But Physicians may object, that I am still bewildered, and at a Loss; since the Chinese Tea, and our Chamelæagnus, produce different Effects: For, as all the Effects which the Chinese or Indians ascribe to their Tea, seem to arise from the Diversity of its Parts, some of which are moderately warm, others excessively dry, some gross, and some subtle: Hence, both Tea and the true Myrtle, prevent Intoxication; nay, an Infusion of Tea surprizingly keeps those who drink it in China, from sleeping for some Nights. It may, therefore, be objected to me, that the Chamelæagnus is so far from preventing or removing Drunkenness, that it forthwith intoxicates the Person who drinks the Ale in which it has been boiled; but these Effects are as diametrically opposite to each other, as those others are of the Chinese Tea removing an Hemicrania, and Head-achs, and the European Chamelæagnus exciting them: I answer, all this is true; but, at the same time, it is to be remembered, that Galen every where demonstrates, of how great Efficacy, the Diversity of Parts, in a compound Body, is; a memorable Example of which he has given, in Acorns arrived at perfect Maturity, in Tr. de Composit. Medicament. Loc. 1. Lib. 6. I shall not affirm, that this Diversity of Parts alone, is sufficient to account for all the Effects produced by Tea, and the Chamelæagnus: But I am of Opinion, that both considered, with respect to their whole Substance, and the Mixture of Parts peculiar to each, act not so much by their weak Heat, as by their excellent drying Virtues; so that they produce their respective Effects only by their primary or secondary Qualities. But I can easily prove, whence this Disagreement of Qualities derives its Origin. We are, therefore, to consider, that the Chamelæagnus abounds with a Salt, and a glutinous Sulphur, of which, according to Dodonæus, the Seeds and Fruit cannot be destitute: But, I deny that this Sulphur is, in the least, offensive to the Brain and Nerves; and affirm, that like the Wreaths of Myrtles, wore by the Lesbians, it, by its Fragrance, comforts and revives the Brain; for, if it was otherwise, I do not see how Ministers and Ambassadors to the Courts of China, should often, by the Use of Tea, be enabled to attend Business for whole Nights, without sleeping: This Account, however, must either be confirmed, or refuted, by Experience. Diogenes Laertius informs us, that Democritus, when nothing else could be of any Service to him, protracted his Life three Days longer, only by the refreshing Smell of Bread, newly taken from an Oven. Thus, also, the moderate Use of Wine revives, corroborates, and, by its Sulphur, dries the Nerves; which is sufficiently known by Dancers, who frequently bath their Feet in Wine, in order to strengthen them; and by Musicians, who take the same Measures with their Hands: And if other Persons would frequently bathe their Feet and Hands with Wine, impregnated either with Rosemary, Sage, or Betony, it is incredible, how much it would contribute to their Health. Besides, it may happen, that, by this Means, malignant Disorders may be prevented. This Redundance, therefore, of a volatile Sulphur in the Chamelæagnus, which palpably affects the Smell of those who walk in Copsy Ground, disturbs the Brain, intoxicates, and produces Head-achs. Thus, in Wine-Vaults, a Person is intoxicated by drinking, sooner than elsewhere, because the Wine, though contained in close Casks, sends forth sulphureous Exhalations, which escape the Sight. It is certain, that the Tartars import their Cha, or Chamelæagnus, into China; but, it is not, to me, probable, that they prepare it in the same Manner with the Chinese: For, if we consider the Customs and Regimen of the Tartars, we find them intolerably addicted to Drunkenness; notwithstanding which, they are very robust and hardy: Hence, if they eat Herbs crude, and also boiled, as they do their Baltracan, it is probable, they toast their Cha, or dry it, and use it, whether after a Crapula, or not, and whether they are afflicted with a Pain of the Head, or not; provided they are intoxicated with it, as the Country People of Europe are with the Chamelæagnus In order to correct this intoxicating Quality of the Chamelæagnus, the Chinese gather the Leaves in the Spring, and not in the Summer: Now, it is sufficiently certain, from chemical Observations, that the sulphureous Parts of Herbs are easily exhaled. This was well enough known to Galen, since, in Lib. de Aliment. Facultat. Cap. 18. he tells us, that the drastic Qualities of Substances, that is, their saline, sulphureous, and volatile Parts, are corrected, or drawn out by boiling, roasting, or Maceration. Hence, the Chinese toast, or carefully dry their Tea, in a Stove; after which, they macerate it for a Quarter of an Hour in warm Water, but do not boil it, lest, by that Means, it should be deprived of all its Virtues: Thus, it is sufficiently known, that Rhubarb is deprived of its purgative Qualities by toasting it, and Alexandrian Senna by being boiled, and strongly expressed. If, therefore, as I before hinted, the Europeans would imitate the Chinese, they would only use those Leaves of the Chamelæagnus, which are gathered in the Spring; but not the Shrub itself, nor the Flowers, nor Seeds, boiled in Ale instead of Hops; for the Leaves ought only to be macerated: Nor is it probable, that the Chamelæagnus would intoxicate so soon, if it was intirely deprived of its Seeds; for this Effect is produced by the Sulphur which abounds in other Herbs and Shrubs, as well as the Chamelæagnus, and is sometimes more, and sometimes less volatile, or fixed: Thus, the Scent of the Heart of the Moschatella is intirely lost, by being frequently smelled. The Geranium Moschatum also, has this peculiar to itself, that when it appears half withered, it emits no Smell; but sends forth a strong one when gently rubbed between the Hands; for if it should be bruised, the Labour would be lost. Rue also contains so volatile a Sulphur, that, when it is dry, it has almost no Colour, whilst its Seeds are oleous and sulphureous. Wormwood holds a Kind of Medium, consisting of one highly volatile Principle, which greatly affects the Head; for which Reason some would have it washed in warm Water before it is used for the Preparation of the Vinum Absinthites, and another of a more fixed Nature; as also a volatile and fixed Salt: Thus, also, Garlick, Mother of Thyme, and especially the Laurel, abound in Sulphur, as well as the Chamelæagnus, in which, indeed, it is more slowly and difficultly consumed, than in the others. When, in order to investigate the Virtues and Faculties of the Chamelæagnus, I kindled some Part of it, together with the Seeds; it did not burn suddenly, like the Juniper, but slowly, like the Beech, with certain Noises, or Kinds of Explosions, intermixed. The Smoak, which filled the whole Laboratory, was of an acrid Smell, highly resembling that of the kindled Twigs of the Beech: Hence, we infer, that the Chamelæagnus contains a large Quantity of Sulphur and volatile Salt. From these Reasonings and Experiments, I think it is sufficiently obvious, that it is, upon account of the grateful and duly corrected Sulphur of the Chinese Chamelæagnus, that the Brain is so much refreshed, and that Persons who use it in China, can, without any Loss, sit up whole Nights in transacting Business; a memorable Instance of this we have in Alexander Rhodius, who always had Disorders of his Head removed by drinking it: Whereas, the European Chamelæagnus, especially that which is full grown, and abounds with Seeds and Flowers, when boiled in Ale, intoxicates those who drink such Ale, procures Sleep, and excites Head-achs. These Circumstances, when impartially weighed, will vindicate me from Partiality, when I despise the costly Chinese Chamelæagnus, and, in its stead, substitute our own, a Shrub of uncommon and excellent Qualities against Poison, and the Bites of Serpents: Since, according to Pliny, these noxious Animals cannot endure the Smell of it. These Virtues of the Chamelæagnus, we can teach the Asiatics, but can hardly believe that, by Virtue of their Tea, Persons may sit up all Night, without sustaining any Loss.

Every one is convinced that two Kinds of Tea are sold in the Shops, one of a blackish Colour, and the other of a faint Green; the one pretty much, and the other far less crenated: This Variation of the Chinese Tea, I can sufficiently account for; since Tulpius tells us, that the Leaves of the Chinese Tea are of a dark green Colour; whereas those produced in Japan are of a fainter Colour, and more grateful Taste; for which Reason, one Pound of the latter is, in the Indies, frequently sold for an Hundred Libræ of Silver, or, according to Trigautius, only for ten or twelve Nobles. Notwithstanding this, the Shopkeepers of Amsterdam and Hamburg sell a Pound of this Commodity for eight Nobles, as I have often before observed.

I cannot, on this Occasion, forbear recommending the Conduct of Oluis Wormius, who, in his Musæum, Lib. 2. Cap. 14. informs us, that he macerated a certain Quantity of both Kinds of Tea, in warm Water, and found the Leaves of the one, when spread, of a dark green Colour, crenated like Rose-Tree Leaves, oblong, and about an Inch in Length. Mr. Harford, the King's Apothecary, made me a Present of two large Boxes full of Tea, of different Colours: In the one Box, which contained the green, I found neither Stalks, nor Flowers, nor Seeds of the Plant, but only the Leaves; but, in turning over the Bohea Tea, contained in the other Box, I found three Stalks, so nearly resembling those of the Myrtle, that, not only Mr. Harford and I, but also some others, thought that they might be justly accounted the Stalks of the Myrtle: This, in so dubious a Case, is a pretty strong Argument, that Bohea Tea is adulterated with Myrtle, which may, very properly, be substituted, in its stead, or rather exactly agrees with it. This blacker Species of Tea, or Myrtle, is far cheaper among the Indians than the green Kind. The celebrated Olaus Wormius, on account of the vast Diversity in the Leaves of Tea, suspects that the Leaves of some other Plant are often sold in their Stead. This also, as I before observed, often happens with respect to Tobacco. That I might not, however, be charged with Rashness, or falsly accusing the Asiatics of Fraud, I thought it incumbent upon me, attentively to view the Chinese Tea; for which Purpose, I ordered Mr. Harford's two Apprentices, to pick out some of the largest, and most perfect Tea Leaves, to be macerated in warm Water, and then spread and unfolded: Accordingly they shewed me ten, which were neither lacerated, nor torn; and two of the most perfect of which were accurately engraved by Albert Halwey, the King's Engraver. See Histor. Cochlear. 4. Class. Quadripartit. Botantic. These Leaves were of different Shapes and Bulks, but so like those of the Chamelæagnus, that the one could hardly be distinguished from the other. The Leaves of the green Kind seemed to be produced by an Herb, or Shrub, of a quite different Species from the Chamelæagnus, the Leaves of which, when gathered small, and in the Spring, make, in my Opinion, the most genuine Tea.

But though I have before shewn, from the Authority of Bauhine, that the Leaves of one and the same Chamelæagnus, sport and vary considerably from each other; yet, I would not, because this may also probably happen to the Chinese Tea, have any one infer, that, in China, the Tea, which some maintain to be the Cha of the Tartars, is not adulterated. I am, indeed, of Opinion, that it is adulterated, but never either affirmed, or so much as intended to insinuate, that Nature sported and varied so in the Chamelæagnus, either of the Tartars, or Europeans, as to produce Leaves of a different Species: Nor is this Variation, and Sporting of Nature, surprizing in the Chamelæagnus; since it is equally, if not more, palpable, in Prunes of different Colours, Peaches, Apricots, sweet and bitter Almonds, and the Leaves produced by these Trees. I have often carefully viewed and turned over all the three Thousand Plants, with which my Repository is enriched, in order to see whether any of them resembled the spurious Chinese Tea, or that with which the genuine is adulterated; and I found the Leaves of two Shrubs highly similar to those of the spurious Tea: The one is by Carolus Clusius in Lib. 5. Rarior. Plantar. Histor. Cap. 20. called Pyrola quarta Fruticans; and Bauhine, in his Pinax, calls it the Pyrola Frutescens Arbuti Folio: The other is a Shrub, called by Clusius, in Lib. 1. Histor. Plant. Cap. 53, the Spiræa Theophrasti, and by Bauhine, Frutex Spicatus Foliis Salignis Serratus dictus.

As it was expedient to compare my Description of the Chinese Tea with those which Dodonæus gives of the Herb Betony, and the Chamelæagnus; so, in this Place, I think it proper to insert the Descriptions which Clusius has given of the Pyrola Fruticans, and the Spiræa Theophrasti; the former of which he describes in the following Manner: "One Genus of this Plant is sometimes of a shrubby Nature; for new, short, and small Branches springing up every Year, remain firm and green for some Years, and rise above the Earth, till by their own Weight they bend downwards, hide themselves in the Ground, and sometimes send out fibrous Roots. Two, three, or four small carnous Leaves generally grow between the Nods: The superior Parts of these Leaves are of a deep green Colour, and shining, whilst, in Form and Bulk, they almost resemble those of the Chamædaphne, or Laureola, only they are serrated about the Edges, and of an highly drying and bitterish Taste, like the Leaves of the other Species of Pyrolæ." These last Words ought carefully to be adverted to. The same Clusius, in Lib. 1. in Rarior Plantar. Histor. describes the Spiræa in the following Manner: "It rises to about the Height of two Cubits, with small Branches, or Twigs, covered with a reddish Bark. Among these Branches arise, without any Order, numerous, long, and narrow Leaves, resembling those of the Willow, serrated about the Edges, with their superior Surfaces of a faint green, and their inferior as if they were besprinkled with Verdegrease: They are of a drying and kind of bitter Taste." The last Words of this Description are also to be carefully adverted to, since the Leaves of Tea are not only serrated, but also of a drying and bitter Taste. As, therefore, the Pyrola Fruticans of Clusius, and the Spiræa of Theophrastus, and especially the former, are of a drying and bitterish Taste, it is highly probable, that the Chinese Tea may be adulterated with one, or both of these; especially, since they not only greatly resemble each other in Form, but also in Taste. A Cut of one Leaf of the Pyrola, I have annexed to the Description of Scurvy-Grass, in my Quadripartitium, No. 9. and another of a Tea-Leaf, produced in China. As for a Cut of the Spiræa, the Curious may have recourse to Clusius, or they may find one Leaf of it accurately engraved in Plate 2, of this Work; where two Leaves of Chinese Tea are engraved. The larger of these is so like the Spiræa of Theophrastus, both in Length, Breadth, Bulk, the Course of the Veins, and the Disposition of the Crenations, that there is hardly the smallest Possibility of distinguishing the one from the other: But both these Leaves are vastly unlike to that Tea Leaf which, in No. 7. of the last cited Plate, I ordered to be engraved, with the Cochlearia Danica: But the other small uncrenated Leaf is like the Chinese Tea, as the latter is like the Chamelæagnus, which, as I have already observed, sports and varies very surprizingly in its Leaves: This latter, I take to be genuine Tea; whereas, I am of Opinion, that the former, resembling the Spiræa, is spurious. Since, therefore, both Tartary and China, abound with the Pyrola, and the Spiræa of Theophrastus, I think we have just Reason to conclude, that all the Leaves sold among us for Tea, have not been gathered from one Species of Shrub, or Herb, but are adulterated with those of the Pyrola, the Spiræa, or some other Shrub; among which, we may justly reckon the Rhus, or Sumach, on account of the Similarity of its Leaves, Flowers, Taste, and Bulk; though I am sensible, that the celebrated Bauhine, in his Pinax, has placed it among the Species of Agnus Castus, and made it a Kind of intermediate Plant, between the Vitex and Ligustrum, calling it Frutex Spicatus Foliis Salignis serratis. In consequence of this, it seems dubious to what Kind of Shrubs it is principally to be referred: Its Flowers grow in a spicated Order, on the Tops of the Twigs, like those of the Agnus Castus; so that the Spiræa very much resembles the Vitex: But, when the Flowers, and crenated Leaves of the Spiræa, are accurately viewed, we find, that it is more justly referred to the Rhus, or Sumach, than to any other Species of Shrub. As neither Theophrastus, Clusius, nor Bodæus a Stapelen, have mentioned its Virtues, I shall not assert that they agree exactly with these of the Chinese Tea; only, it is highly probable, that the Chinese Tea is adulterated with the Spiræa, either by the Asiatic or European Dealers. Avarice has not only prompted People to this Piece of Fraud, but also to lodge Tobacco in Office-Houses, in order to render it more acrid. In order to evince how like the Chinese, or Japonese Tea is to the Spiræa, I refer the Reader to Tab. 1. Fig. 6, & 7, the former of which is a Leaf of Tea, and the latter that of the Spiræa.

Happening one Day to visit Hieronymus Molmanus, a learned Jesuit, to whom I communicated my Paradox about Tea; that Gentleman, upon my commending Trigautius and Rhodius, ordered me to read Martini Martinii novus Atlas Sinensis, as the best and latest Account of the East Indies, or rather of China. When I found this Work, I was glad to meet with a Description of the Cha, in the Account of the Town Hojechu in Nanquin, in which the Author affirms, that it is no where better and more valuable. Martinius informs us, that the Chinese Tea belongs to the Rhus, and is highly similar to it: But this Rhus, as I have already shewn from Pliny, Clusius, Dodonæus, and Dalechampius, is the same with our Chamelæagnus. Hence, it is not only obvious in itself, but confirmed by the Authority of Martinius, that the Chinese are guilty of Fraud and Imposture in adulterating their Tea.

The Description which Martinius gives of the Thee, is as follows: "The Leaves, most commonly known by the Name of Cha, are no where more valuable, than in the Province of Nanquin; and, for the Sake of the Curious, I shall describe them as briefly as possible. The Leaf is exactly similar to that produced by the Rhus Coriaria; and I am apt to think the former is a certain Species of the latter, though the Thee is not wild, but cultivated, is not a Tree, but a Kind of Shrub, sending forth various small Branches: The Flowers of the one do not much differ from those of the other, except that those of the latter are of a more yellowish White than those of the former. The Tea flowers in the Spring, and the Flower emits a gently fragrant Smell. It is succeeded by a green Berry, which soon assumes a blackish Colour: The tender Leaves appearing in the Spring, are thought best. These, when gathered, they put into an Iron Pan, over a slow Fire, and heat them a little; then they put them in a thin fine Cloth, and again expose them to the Fire, till they are intirely dry, and shrunk up. When thus prepared, they generally keep them close stopped leaden Vessels, in order to prevent Evaporation, and the free Access of the Air. After they have been kept a long Time, they resume their primitive Verdure, and expand themselves when put into boiling Water, in which they produce a greenish Colour, and communicate to it a pretty grateful Taste, especially to those who are accustomed to drink it. The Chinese greatly extol the Virtues of this warm Liquor, which they frequently use by Day and Night, making it the common Entertainment for Strangers and Visitors. The Price is very various, since a Pound ascends from an Halfpenny, to two, or more, Nobles: To this Liquor, it is principally said to be owing, that the Chinese are never afflicted with the Gout and Stone. When drank after Meals, it removes Crudity and Indigestion, for it greatly assists Concoction: It affords Relief after hard Drinking, and Surfeits of every Kind; for it is of a drying Quality, removes superfluous Humours, expels somniferous Vapours, and prevents Drowsiness and Oppression in those who incline to study: It has various Names in China, according to the Places where it is produced, and the different Prices of it. The best in Nanquin, is generally called Sunglocha. For a farther Account, the Curious may consult Rhodius de Regno Tunking." Martinius also informs us, that the City Luchen, in the Province of Kiangnan, is celebrated both for the great Quantities, and the Goodness of its Tea.

I could heartily wish, that all the practical Physicians in Europe would concur to giving a Sanction to this Doctrine by their Practice; for, besides the Testimonies of Trigautius and Rhodius, I am certain from Experience, that the Cha is the Rhus Coriaria, or a certain Species of it, whose Qualities and Marks are known from what has been already said. I do not, in the least, doubt, but the Cha of the Tartars, or the Thee of the Chinese, is our Chamelæagnus, or Pliny's Herb Rhus; especially since Clusius, in Auctar. Exoticor. Libror. expresly asserts, that from the Cuts of some Chinese Books, which Pavius and Joseph Scaliger received in a Present from some East India Merchants, though coarsely engraved, he perceived that many Chinese Plants are exactly similar to some of those produced in Europe. This Circumstance renders it highly probable, that China which borders upon Tartary, produces our Chamelæagnus. I am heartily sorry, however, that I have not had an Opportunity of conversing with Martinius on this Subject, since, according to Galen, in Lib. de Compos. Med. Cap. 3. reading an Author's Works, is not so satisfactory, as a personal Conversation with him. However, as I have only followed Reason, and the Course of my own Thoughts, I hope I shall have no Cause to repent my Labour; since, according to Cornelius Tacitus, in Annal. 15. many Things are obtained by Experiments and Efforts, which, to the lazy and sluggish Part of Mankind, seemed highly difficult, if not impossible. Thus the Romans, by Bravery and Activity, raised their originally petty State, to a most extensive and powerful Empire. Columbus discovered America by Reading and making Efforts for that Purpose. Copernicus, and Ticho Brahe, by their extensive Acquaintance with Mathematics, discovered and demonstrated many important Things, unknown to our Forefathers. The illustrious Hoffman, in Paralcip. Officinal, when giving a noble Scope to his Imagination, in the Investigation of Mineral Waters, tells us, that the advancing probable Things, is an Advantage to the Cause of Truth, and was always looked upon as such by Plato, Aristotle, Galen, and all other Philosophers. Notwithstanding the incomparable Learning and Industry of Martinius, I cannot comprehend some Things in his Description of Tea; for I cannot conceive why he asserts, that the Rhus Coriaria is not wild, but cultivated among the Chinese; since Matthiolus, Bauhine, and Hoffman, do not, with Galen, make a Distinction between the Rhus Coriaria, and Culinaria, which, by Trigautius and Rhodius, is called the Cha, or Thee; but if Martinius had mentioned the Myrtle, I should have conjectured, that he followed other Botanists, who exclude the Myrtus Sylvestris Dioscoridis, in the Shops known by the Name Ruscus, or Bruscus, from the Species of true Myrtles. Thus Marcellus Virgilius, in Comment. in Dioscorid. Lib. 1. Cap. 132. makes a great Difference between them in the following Passage: "The Myrtus Sativa of Pliny, which I describe in this Chapter, is not like other Plants, sown in continued Tracts of Ground; and though it thrives better in Gardens, than in uncultivated Soils, this is not the only Difference between it and the Myrtus Agrestis, which is a Plant of an intirely different Kind, which the Greeks call Oxymyrsene, and the Latins, Ruscus; for, upon Comparison, the Myrtle is milder than the Ruscus, whose cuspidated Leaves are pricking and sharp. It is, however, certain, that the Ruscus was, by some of the Antients, called Myrtus Sylvestris." I do not remember, that any Botanist has brought such a Charge against our Chamelæagnus, since it is universally enumerated among the Species of true Myrtle, though of the wild Kind. The Reason why Martinius calls the Chamelæagnus a cultivated Plant, as I suppose, is, because the Chinese, seeing us so fond of Tea, have begun to cultivate it, in order to draw the Profits arising from it, just as the Europeans do the Vine, for the Sake of the Grapes, the Persians the Mulberry-Tree, for the Silk; the Inhabitants of Narbon and Provence, the Ilex Coceigera, for the Sake of the Cochineal; or the Americans the Tobacco, on account of the large Quantities of it imported into Europe. As Trigautius thinks it not impossible for Tea to grow in some Parts of Europe, and as Rhodius affirms, that the Chinese are as busy in the Time of gathering their Tea, as the Europeans are in their Harvest; so, it is probable, that some Tracts of Land may be sown with Tea in China; notwithstanding which, it is more agreeable to the usual Way of speaking, to call Tea rather a wild, than cultivated Shrub. The Chinese also, according to Rhodius, do not gather all the Leaves produced by the Shrub, but only such as appear first in the Spring, and are soft and tender, which they also gather, one after another. Hence I infer, that the Leaves in the Summer, are very unlike those in the Spring, which is also observed in those of our Chamelæagnus, with respect to Softness, Smoothness, and Colour; so that it is not to be wondered at, if the Chinese Chamelæagnus appears milder than our own; since they collect, prepare, and dry theirs in a quite different Manner from us: "For, first, they put it in an Iron Pan, and warm it gently over a slow Fire; then, they wrap it up in a smooth, thin Cloth, and again expose it to the Fire, till it is corrugated, and shrivelled up." Hence it is, that our Chamelæagnus, when macerated in warm Water, is of a different Colour, Taste, and Smell from the Chinese Tea, though their Effects are the same, only those of the former are stronger and more considerable than those of the latter. If, therefore, in our Country, the Chamelæagnus was gathered with the same Circumstances, Pains, and Precautions observed by the Chinese, I doubt not but it would be equal to, their Tea; for if the same Measures are not taken in the Preparation of the same Herb, how is it possible, that it should produce similar and uniform Effects, especially if the one is gathered in the Spring, and the other in the End of the Summer: The one artificially dried in the House, and the other dried in the open Air by the Heat of the Sun; the one collected when it begins to appear, and other when the Plant is full of a roscid, sulphureous Dew, and bears Flowers, and Seeds. For this Reason, Scherbius justly observes, "That when many Things concur to the Production of the same Effect; all these Things ought to be exactly the same." Hoffman, in Comment. Lib. 7. represents this Doctrine in the following accurate and beautiful Manner: "Individual Objects often appear to our Senses to have no Difference; whereas, a very considerable one is observed in their Effects. This Circumstance constitutes that Individuality, which cannot be described, and which, I remember, Scherbius, my old Master, used to illustrate by the following Simile: If a Bell-Founder should make twenty small Bells, of the same Metal, in the same Mould, at the same Time, and in the same Place; yet the Sound of no one of them will be perfectly similar to that of another. What can be the Cause of this Variation? The Artist, the Mould, the Metal, and the Fire, concur to produce the same Effects, which, however, is not obtained. Besides, if we were carefully to examine these Bells by the Sight, the Touch, the Weight and other Circumstances, we can discover no Difference; which, however, is sufficiently evinced by the Sound. Some Things, said my Matter, can neither be described, nor expressed, and of this Kind are these Differences. Perhaps, in this Case, there is not an equable Thickness of the Metal, because the Fire has not equably pervaded all its Particles. Perhaps the Surface is not every where smooth because the fused Metal might have been in some Parts more refrigerated than in others: and perhaps, there maybe other Variations; for, unless all Circumstances exactly concur, the same Sound cannot be produced in all the Bells." I have quoted this Passage from Hoffman, lest any Person, observing some Differences between our Chamelæagnus, and the Chinese, or Tartars Tea, should forthwith doubt,—whether they are Shrubs of the same Species, as I have already proved them to be. The Chinese Tea, therefore, and our Chamelæagnus, are Shrubs of the same Species; though, for the former, we go beyond the Cape of Good Hope, into China, cross the Equator four Times in every Voyage, and expose ourselves to uncommon Hardships and Dangers, in order to bring Home the Leaves of an unknown Shrub, which has not the same Virtues and Qualities for which the Chinese Tea is celebrated in China, and to which our European Betony is preferable. Since, therefore, the Chamelæagnus is now sufficiently known, we have no more Occasion for Tea from China, than we have for Arum from Asia, Wormwood from Pontus, or Scordium from Crete.