246 BUITISII EVKIIQUEENS. 



of China. It is very unlike any otlier known Holly; the leaves are 

 fleshy, quite smooth on, both sides, about two inches and a half long, 

 and of an ovate form; when young they have a purplish tinge. The 

 berries are small, and are borne in large axillary clusters. 

 Ilex myricoidos. — This species is a native of the mountains of New Granada. 



" magellanica. — Magellian Holly. This species was introduced in 1838— 

 a handsome species. 



" myrtifolia. — The Myrtle-leaved Holly flowers in July and August; native 

 of the West Indies, introduced about 180G; forms a dense bush of an 

 upright growth. 



'^ Nepalensis. — '(The /, elUptlca of some,) is a Nepal shrub, growing to 

 the height of eight feet. 



" opaca. — 'The Opaque-leaved, or American Holly, a beautiful evergreen, 

 native of North America, according to Prush growing to the height 

 of eighty feet; introduced in 1744, flowers in May; leaves ovate, flat, 

 toothed in a scalloped manner, spiny, but not glossy, This is the 

 Common Holly of America, being used in that country for the various 

 purposes to which our native Holly is applied, 



" odorata, — Described in Dons. Prod: Fl. Nep: at page 189; said to have 

 sweet-scented flowers, a native of Nepal, not yet, that we are aware 

 of, introduced into this country. 



" Paltoria. — An evergreen shrub, found on the highest mountains in Peru. 



" Paraguariensis. — Paraguay Tea Holly; native of Paraguay, introduced in 

 1823. ^^The Tea Tree of Paraquay is one of the most useful trees 

 in that country. It is found growing spontaneously intermingled with 

 other trees in the forests, which covers the banks of the rivers which 

 flow into the Parana and Uruguay. In size it equals the common 

 Orange Tree, but in those places where the leaves are gathered, it 

 naturally becomes stunted from the mutilations it receives every two 

 or three years, owing to an opinion that this time is required or 

 requisite to season the leaves, which do not fall off" in winter. The 

 leaf is elliptical cuneiform, from four to five inches long, thick, glossy, 

 of a dark green above, and pale below. The method of prepai-ing the 

 leaves is as follows: — A hurdle of long poles is constructed, in the 

 form of cylindrical vaults, which they call barbaqua, under this a large 

 fire is made, and the branches being placed upon the hurdle, remain 

 there till they are sufficiently dry; after this they remove the fire, and 

 on the hard and hot platform, after being swept clean, they throw the 

 branches, which they heat to separate the leaves. This being accom- 

 plished, the leaves are put into large bags made of hides, which have 

 the four upper corners fixed to four large stakes placed in the ground, 

 sufficient to support a considerable weight; into this they put the leaves, 

 and beat them down with a pole. When the bag is filled and packed 

 hard, the mouth is sewed up, and without any further preparation the 



