168 ILEX OPACA. 



abundantly along the maritime parts of the United States, to the Floridas, and 

 also in lower Louisiana, and western 'IViniessee; but it is observed to become 

 rare in approachiui^ the mountains. It was introduced into Britain in 174 1, and 

 is cultivated in many ol" the l!unpean gardens and collections. The largest trees 

 of this kind recorded in liUgland are in the gardens at the Walton House, at 

 Syon, and at Winte Knights, near Reading. The height of tiiose at Syon 

 exceed twenty-iive feet. 



There are several fine specimens of the Ilex opaca on the farm of Colonel Minott 

 Thayer, in Hraintree, Massachusetts, which are about a foot in diameter, a yard 

 above the ground, and twenty-five f>et in height. They have maintained their 

 present dimensions for more than fifty years, and probably arc several centuries 

 old. 



Soil, Sifitadon, (^'c. In New Jersey, and on the eastern shore of Maryland, 

 and in certain parts of Virginia, where it is particularly abundant, this sjiecics 

 grows almost exclusively on open grounds, and m dry, gravelly soils; while in 

 South Carolina, Georgia, and lower Louisiana, it is seen only in shady places, 

 on the edges of swamps, where the soil is cool and fertile. In Massachusetts, 

 Rhode Island, and Connecticut, it usually grows in a warm, sandy loam, and in 

 sheltered situations. It may be propagated in the same manner as the Euro- 

 pean holly, and formed into hedges, or cultivated as an ornamental tree in gar- 

 dens. 



Properties mid Uses. The wood of the American holly resembles that of the 

 European species, except that it is rather browner at the heart. It is compact, 

 heavy, of a fine grain, and is susceptible of a brilliant polish. Its principal use 

 is for inlaying mahogany furniture, and for turning into small boxes for drug- 

 gists, and for small screws. When perfectly seasoned, it is very hard and 

 unyielding, which renders it well adapted for pulleys used in ships. It may be 

 dyed of various colours, so as to resemble many foreign woods. The bark may 

 be employed for making bird-lime, in a similar manner as that of the preceding 

 species. Medicinally, it is emetic and cathartic. The berries, taken to the num- 

 ber of fifteen or twenty, will excite vomiting, and will also act as a purgative. 



