34 NEILGHERRY PLANTS. 
posed in 1826 to remove it and constitute the Holly-tribe a distinct order. Those who 
recollect the Holly-tree of Europe with its bright prickly leaves will scarcely suppose that 
the two here represented are species of the same genus, but yet, when the flowers and frait 
are compared, and it is from them generic characters are principally derived, no difference is 
found except in the number of carpels, and that is not constant as may be seen by compar- 
ing figures 5 and 7 of the accompanying plate where one has 5 the other 6 carpels. In the 
European Lolly, 4 is the usual number, so that the Indian forms (Prinos) can at best be 
only viewed as a section of the same genus, a view which is further confirmed by the fact, 
that the original Prinos, is described as having six lobed corollas, six stamens and six car- 
pels; here we have them 5 lobed and 5 stamens, though it is not improbable six may occa- 
sionally be found. But the mere circumstance ofsuch irregularity existing shows that charac- 
ters taken from such variable organs are not to be depended upon, and, in the instance of this 
genus their value is still further reduced by a Nepaul species which has only two carpels. 
The species are widely distributed but predominate in the warmer regions, ‘the 
West Indies, South America, Cape of Good Hope, some in North America and several in 
India and Ceylon. Three are found on the N eilgherries and three or four on the more 
elevated regions of Ceylon. In Wallich’s list of Indian plants six species are named 
exclusive of the Neilgherry ones. In Europe only one species is indigenous, the common 
Holly. 
Several species are famed for the possession of active properties, the bark of the com- 
mon Holly has been successfully employed as a substitute for Peruvian bark in the cure ofin- 
termittent fever and its berries are purgative and emetic, but perhaps the most celebrated is 
the Ilix Paraguayenses which yields the far famed Paraguay tea or Mate, of which a very full 
account bas been published by Sir W. J. Hooker, in the London Botanical Journal. It is 
there said, “ itis certainly aperient and diuretic, but its other qualities are more problemati- 
cal, though, to individuals who accustom themselves to it, the habit becomes second nature 
and to break it off, or even to diminish the customary quantity, seems almost impossible. 
Like opium it certainly seems to rouse the torpid and calm the restless, but, as in the case of 
that noxious drug, the immoderate use of it is apt to occasion diseases similar to those cou- 
sequent on the practice of drinking strong liquors.” 
I have quoted this passage with reference to one of the Neilgherry species I. denticulata 
which nearly accords with the American one in its Botanical characters, and may possibly, 
like it, when analyzed, be found to contain Theine, the Alkaloid of Tea and Coffee. 
TLIX—Ho.iy-tTreEe. 
Calyx inferior kor lobed permanent. Corolla wheel shaped in 4-6 deep elliptical spreading concave 
obes or as many petals slightly cohering by their broad bases, much larger than the calyx. Filaments awl- 
shaped shorter than the coralla, and alternate with its lobes. Anthers small two lobed. Ovary roundish. 
Styles none. Stimas 4-6-obtuse permanent. Berry globular 4-6-celled. Seeds solitary in each cell, oblong 
P =— angular at the inside rounded externally.—Trees or shrubs with alternate petioled, polished, sometimes 
