NEILGHERRY PLANTS. 19
portion of azote which it contains. In the Chinese and Paraguay tea, it is quite identical and has been called Theine from Thea, the Botanical name of Tea; that of Coffee and Coco being slightly different, has been respectively called Coffeine and Theobromine, Theobroma caco being the name of the latter. These chemical investigations have further led to the dis- covery that the fatty deposits of animal bodies contain a large proportion of Azote and that azotized foot is necessary for its production: hence it is justly inferred that these beverages are all endowed with nutritious properties to an extent far beyond what, previous to these discoveries, they were supposed to possess.
Botanically considered, the Tea and Camellia are esteemed species of the same genus In like manner Paraguay Tea and the common Holly are species of the same genus, but chemical analysis has not discovered Theine in either Camellia or Holly, a fact that will perhaps lead Botanists to reconsider the Botanical characters of these genera before finally uniting, the former with Thea or the latter with Ilix. There are two specics
It is said that a species of Eurya is used in Ceylon as tea. of Ilix on the Hills, one, of these Ilix dentata is very nearly allied to the Ilix Paraguayensis, it might, therefore, be interesting to have the leaves of both our Eurya and Ilix analysed to ascertain whether either might be used as a substitute for the Chinese leaf.
CLEYERA.
Calyx of 5 sepals, with 2 bracteoles at the base. Petals 5, distinct, with a broad base, alternate with the sepals: æstivation imbricated. Stamens distinct, adhering to the base of the petals: anthers adnate, linear, dehiscing longitudinally. Style single, crowned by 2-3 stigmas. Fruit baccate, 2 3-celled. Seeds 2 in each cell, pendulous from the summit of the axis, wingless: albumen fleshy: embryo curved. Evergreen shrubs with axillary peduncles. Flowers of a moderate size, white or yellowish.-W. and A. Prod. p. 86.
Only six species of this genus are yet described, of these one is from China, two Japan, one Japan and Nepaul, one from Ceylon, and lastly, the one here figured from the Neilgherries: another is stated by Dr. Wallich to be a native of Nepaul, but that has not yet been described. The Ceylon one, first de- The scribed in my Illustrations, seems very closely allied to one of the Japan ones, if not indeed the same. Neilgherry one is a large tree, extensively distributed over the hills.
As ornamental trees, both this and the following merit being more extensively introduced about our grounds and enclosures, and judging from its frequency, in nearly all situations on the Hills, I should suppose this might easily be accomplished and prove a vast improvement, by displacing the Cassia tomentosa which is not to be compared with them in beauty. Those who may think of making the attempt thus to decorate their grounds, should raise the plants from seed, as those removed from the jungle generally die, partly owing to the injury their roots sustain in transplanting, but principally through the rude exposure to which their removal from the shelter and rich moist soil of the forest subjects them, when weakened by being deprived of the greater part of the delicate fibres of their roots, which are as truly the organs of nutrition of plants as the stomach is that of animals. When transplanting is attempted, the rainy season, June and July, should be chosen, and the plants selected for removal the smallest that can be found, so as to admit of their being artificially shel- tered from the strong winds which then prevail. This is a general principle in transplanting applicable to all sorts of trees and shrubs.
CLEYERA GYMNANTHERA (W. & A.:) glabrous: leaves cuneate-obovete, obtuse or shortly and obtuse- ly pointed, coriaceous, entire: peduncles twice as long as the petioles, 2-edged: bracteoles persistent: anthers dotted with little points on the connectivum, without bristles.-W. and A Prod. p. 87.
A large tree with bright shining leaves and yellow flowers, flowering in May, June and July, and ripening its fruit in February and March. It is however so generally distributed that it is to be found in flower and fruit at nearly all seasons, varying according to the aspect and shelter it enjoys. The timber is of a red colour, of rather close grain and is by the natives con- sidered strong and durable.
