5- 



FI.OWl'.RS OF THE IIII.I.S AM) DRY 1>I.ACES 



where it "rows in thick and lolly masses covering a wide area. Else- 

 where it is touiicl planted in woods and plantations, and is frequently 

 used in j^ardens and elsewhere as a hedgerow shrub, the {practice 

 having originated with the Romans, and having been revived under 

 the auspices ot IJutch gardening. 



This is an erect, arching shrub or tree, with a hard, woody main 

 stem, witli soft bark, and numerous drooping branches. The lea\es 





Box iBiiXus stiJipervin'fiSy L.) 



are eofa-shaped-oblono-, with a luncli at the extrcmitx', with the 

 margins of the leaf-stalks hairy, the leaves opposite, shining,' leathery, 

 evergreen. The stomata are immersed with 4 rows of palisade cells. 



The tlowers are green (the plant is moncKcious), in spikes in the 

 axils, with 4 bracts below; the lemale flowers above the male ha\e 

 4 sepals, which are lilunt. The stamens are long, the anther-stalks 

 being strong, the anthers egg-shaped, arrow-shaped. The styles are 3, 

 spreading, not falling. The capsule is egg-shaped, wrinkled, with 

 6 seeds, 2 in each cell. 



' These may serve to throw oft' snow in winter in order to prevent the plants from being weighed down 

 and so cause the branches to crack. Many other evergreens, as Holly and ^■ew, as well as the Ivy. have 

 the same polished surface. 



