It is to be observed, that these Vessels are of a grateful fragrant Smell, resembling those of the _Juniper_, _Cypress_, or _Aloes Tree_, which is certainly owing to the bituminous Earth of which they are formed. Thus we have before observed, that the _Kalenburgian_ bituminous Earth is as fragrant as Violets; and that, according to _Martinius_, it is on account of the Fragrance of these Vessels, that the _Chinese_ are so fond of them, and purchase them at such immense Prices. We have also taken Notice from _Tulpius_, and _Maffæus_, that these Pots, Vessels, and other Pieces of _Tea_ Equipage, are, by the _Chinese_, bought at the Rate of some Thousand _Nobles_, wrapped up in silken Coverings, shewn only to their nearest Friends, and as much valued by them as Adamants, Gems, and curious Medals are by the _Europeans_. Let the _Europeans_, therefore, before they drink _Tea_, which itself is void of Smell, provide themselves with the fragrant Vessels of _Gnihing_, and the Waters of the Rivulet _Vussie_, which they must bring uncorrupted from _China_; and then, on Supposition the Air was the same, which it is not, the same Effects might be produced in _Europe_ by _Tea_, as those which it is boasted to produce in _China_. It is therefore far more congruous to Truth and Reason, to suppose, that the _Chinese_ are free from the Stone, Gout, and arthritic Pains, rather by the Goodness of their Water, than by their _Tea_ alone, which may also contribute something to their Happiness in these Respects. Besides, the Force and Virtue of _Tea_, must be considerably impaired and lost, by the intense Heat of the Sun, during so long a Voyage, in which the _Equator_ must be twice crossed, before the Ships arrive at any _European_ Ports. Hence we know from Experience, that those Persons most consult the Interest of the _Europeans_, who, according to _Mercator_, in his Description of _China_, advise, that _Rhubarb_, with the best Sort of which, _China_ abounds, should be brought through _Persia_ by Land, lest it should be spoiled and corrupted by so long a Voyage. What must therefore happen to _Tea_, or the _Chinese Chamelæagnus_, which is in _China_ frequently toasted in an Iron Pan, so as to corrugate and conglomerate its Leaves, according to _Rhodius_ and _Martinius_? For, if the Virtues of _Rhubarb_, which is a compact Substance, are, by such a Voyage, exhaled, this Misfortune must much more happen to the tender Leaves of _Tea_, which are gathered in the _Spring_, and have a bitterish Taste, but no Smell. Hence we may infer, that these Leaves are, after their Arrival at _Europe_, possessed of a volatile and fixed Salt, but deprived of their Sulphur, especially the most volatile Part of it; for, if they were intirely destitute of Sulphur, they would not take Flame, nor could they be burned. The Author of a Book, intitled, _Artificia Hominum Miranda Naturæ in_ Sina & Europa, in _Chap. 35._ tells us, "that in _Chekiang_, in _China_, there are Woods of _Mulberry-Trees_, so many Silk-Worms, and such immense Quantities of Silk, that a Person may there purchase ten silken Suits of Cloaths at an easier Rate, than he can have one of Cloth in any Part of _Europe_. The _Chinese_ prune their _Mulberry-Trees_ every Year, as the _Europeans_ do their Vines; nor do they suffer them to grow up into tall Trees, because they have found from long Experience, that the Leaves of the smallest Trees produce the finest Substance for Silk, and the best Thread: For which Reason, they justly distinguish between the first and second Weaving of the Thread: The former is produced when the Worms are nourished by the Leaves which appear in the _Spring_, and are soft and delicate: The latter is, when they are fed upon the _Summer_ Leaves, which are coarse and hard; so great is the Difference of Work produced by these Animals only by a Change of Food." If this Account of the Nourishment of Silk-Worms is true, as we _Europeans_ find it by Experience, so it is equally certain, that there is as great a Difference between those Leaves of the _Chinese Tea_, or _European Chamelæagnus_, which appear in the _Spring_, and those which are produced in the _Summer_, as I have all along insinuated in this Work. By this remarkable Passage of the anonymous Author, I am more and more convinced, that the vernal Leaves of the _Chamelæagnus_, or _European Tea_, are possessed of different Virtues from those which appear in the _Summer_, when the Sun has entered _Leo_: And those who will not grant this Truth, are confuted by the palpable Instance drawn from the Nourishment of the Silk-Worms.