223 

 BRITISH EVERGREENS.— No. 2. 



BY J. MC' INTOSH^ ESQ. 

 {Continued from page 194.) 



The species and varieties of Holly known in Britain are innumerable, and 

 the multiplicity of names might vie with the Tulip or Hyacinth. The fol- 

 lowing list, however will be found to contain all that are really worthy of 

 cultivation, and that are really distinct. 



Ilex aqidfolium, L. — The Prickly-leaved, or Common Holly, Huulver, Hulfere, 

 and Holme; flowers white, appearing in May; fruit red, 

 ripe in September; remaining all the winter on the tree. 

 The lower leaves spinous, while the upper ones, especially 

 those on old trees, are smooth; and are thus beauti- 

 fully alluded to by Southey, in his pretty poem on the 

 Holly. 



"Its glossy leaves 

 Order' d by an intelligence so wise, 

 As might confound an Atheist's sophistries; 

 Below a circling fence its leaves are seen 

 Wrinkled and keen; 



No grazing cattle through their prickly round, 

 Can reach to wound. 



But, as they grow where nothing is to fear, 

 Smooth and uuarm'd the pointless leaves appear." 



The following varieties of Ilex aquifolium are designated from the various 

 forms of the leaf: — ■ 



Ilex acidfulium angustifolium, Hort. — The Narrow-leaved Common Holly: Britain. 

 ^' " Altaclerence. — The High Clere Common Holly; leaves broad, 



thin, and flat: Britain. 

 " " ciliatum. — The Ciliated Common Holly; leaves oval, acuminate, 



small; the prickles along the margins like hairs: Britain. 

 " " ciliatum minus. — The Smaller Ciliated Common Holly; leaves 



smaller, and thinner than the last variety: Britain. 

 " " erassifolium. — The Thick-leaved Common Holly: Britain. 



" " crispum. — The Curled-leaved Common Holly: Britain. 



" " caliniistrata. — A singular twisted foliage 'variety; leaves dark 



green : Britain. 

 " " Cunninghamii. — A pretty variety with long and narrow leaves: 



Britain. 

 " " fastigiatum. — This variety was first discovered near Edinburgh, 



and about the same time in a garden near Derby: Britain. 

 ' " " ferox. — The Fierce, or Hedgehog Common Holly. The disk of 



the leaf has its edge rolled back with a somewhat cylindrical 



figure, and the surface of the leaf abounds in prominences 



and prickles; it has a very singular appearance. Bradley 



