Thea

(the'-ah). A former genus of plants now included as a section under Camellia. See Tea . T. nigra, black tea, is le pungent and le fragrant than green tea and is made from leaves that have undergone fermentation and are then slowly dried. T. virid is, green tea, is prepared from leaves that have been dried quickly, having undergone no fermentation. The poorer grades are frequently colored with gypsum, Pru ian blue, etc. Thebain (the'- ba - in), Called also paramorpkin a poisonous alkaloid found in opium, consisting of silvery plates, melting at 1930 C, with an acrid taste and analogous to strychnin in its physiologic effects. It is a powerful tetanizer, exalting the activity of the cerebro-spinal centers. Unof.