MATE, or PARAGUAY TEA, a substitute for tea, extensively used in South America, and almost universally through Brazil. It consists of the leaves and green shoots of cer tain species of holly (q.v.) more especially _Ilex Paraguayensis, dried and roughly ground; the leafy portion being reduced to a coarse powder, and the twigs being in a more or less broken state, sometimes, however, as much as an inch in length. The term mate, which has by usage attached to this material, belonged originally to the vessels in which it was infused for drinking; these were usually made of gourds or calabashes, often trained into curious forms during their growth. Into the hollow vessels thus formed a small: quantity of the material, more properly called yerba de mate, is put, and boiling water is added; it is then handed round to those who are to partake of it; and each being pro vided with a small tube about 8 in. in length, with a small bulb at one end, made either of basket-work of wonderful fineness, or of perforated metal, to act as a strainer, and prevent the fine particles from being drawn up into the mouth, dips in this instrument, which is called a bambilla, and sucks up a small portion of the infusion, and passes the mate-bowl on to the next person. It is usual to drink it exceedingly hot, so much so as to be extremely unpleasant to Europeans. Its effect is much the same as tea, stimulat
ing and restorative; and it derives this property from the presence of a large proportion, of the same principle which is found in tea and coffee--viz., theine. The collection and preparation of mate is a large industrial occupation in Paraguay and Brazil; and. the leanieci and accurate botanist Mr. John Miers has proved that not only Ilex Paraguay ensis, but also I. caritn)ensis, gigantea, I oralifolia, I Ilumboldtiana, and I. nigropu-nc tata, besides several varieties of these species, are in general use. It is very remark able that when caffeic acid, to which coffee owes its agreeable flavor, independently of the theine, is treated with sulphuric acid and binoxide of manganese, it forms kinone; and by treating the mate with the same agents. kinone has also been obtained.
Upwards of 5,000,000 lbs of mate are annually exported from Paraguay to other parts of South America; but it is not yet an article of export to other quarters of the world.
Rex Paraguayensis is a large shrub or small tree; with smooth, wedge-shaped„ remotely serrated leaves, and umbels of small flowers in the axils of the leaves. The leaves of many species of holly possess properties very different from those of the mati trees. Some are emetic.