THALAMIFLOR/ 79 
the upper portions of the wild holly, there are no 
spines at all. In others, such as the hedgehog 
variety, they are exceptionally developed, and the 
leaves are twisted into a convolute mass with spines 
as numerous as those on the hedgehog. Many 
varieties, too, are variegated, white or golden, and 
some have narrow leaves, whilst others bear golden, 
not red berries. 
It has always been assumed that in the wild holly 
the lower leaves bear spines as in many other plants 
to serve as a protection against cattle and other 
browsing animals which are fond of gnawing the 
bark of trees and nibbling the foliage. Certainly the 
upper leaves are out of reach, and at the same time 
usually spineless. 
Most of the hollies are American plants, the 
common holly being the only European species. 
They have astringent properties, and one species, Ilex 
paraguayensis, which yields Paraguay tea, found in 
the West Indies and South America, yields the malt 
commonly drunk as a beverage in the New World. 
Other plants are used in the same way as tea in 
North America. The berries are poisonous. One 
use to which the twigs are put in this country is to 
make bird-lime. Holly itself is in great request as a 
- decoration at Christmas, and the wood is used in 
inlay work, being close grained, and for walking- 
sticks. The berries serve as a medicinal emetic. 
The leaves are glossy and coriaceous or leathery, 
armed with spines, simple and alternate, evergreen. 
