Genus ILEX, Linn. 



Aquifoliaceae. 



Syst. Nat. 



Tetrandria Tetragynia. 



Syst. Lin, 



Derivation. The name Ilex was given to this genus by Bauhln and Loureiro, on account of the resemblance of its leaves to 

 thoae of the Quercua ilex, or the true Ilex of Virgil. 



Generic Characters. Sexes hermaphrodite, very rarely, by defect, dioecious or polygamous. Calyx 4 5- 

 toothed. Corolla 4 5-cleft. Stamens 4 5, inserted into the tube of the corolla. Fruit including 4 

 or 5 nuts. Evergreen shrubs, with, mostly, coriaceous leaves. Flowers many on a peduncle. De 

 CaridoUe, Frodromus. 



J LEX is a genus very abundantly diffused in the warm and colder 

 climates of both continents, and in many islands in the ocean. 

 Besides the Ilex aquifolium, which constitutes so beautiful a fea- 

 ture in the winter scenery of many parts of England, there are 

 also worthy of note, the Ilex opaca of the United States, and the 

 Ilex dipyrena of the Himalayas, which is nearly allied to it ; the 

 Ilex balearica, or broad-leaved holly of Minorca; the Ilex canariensis, with 

 black berries ; the Ilex vomitoria or yaupon of the southern Indians ; the Ilex 

 paraguariensis, or Paraguay tea ; the Ilex dahoon of Florida, which may be con- 

 sidered as one of the most ornamental of the whole family ; and the Ilex cassine 

 or broad-leaved dahoon holly of Carolina and the Floridas. 



