HOLLY TRIBE 229 



to several sacred purposes. They also sprinkle it on the face of a new-born 

 infant. Plin}' tells of many superstitions concerning this shrub; he says, in 

 the words of his translator, " As touching the Holly or Hulver-tree, if it be 

 planted about a house, whether it be within a citie or standing in the 

 countrey, it serveth for a counter-charm, and keepeth away all ill spells and 

 enchantments." Among the other remarkable things connected Avith the 

 plant, the Roman naturalist relates that its flowers would cause water to 

 freeze, and that it repelled poison ; while, if a staff" of its wood were thrown 

 to any animal, even if it fell short of touching it, the animal would be so 

 subdued by its influence that it would return and lie down by it. 



In our days the Holly has an associated interest, and is dear to us all as 

 emblematic of the season of festive enjoyments, of household gatherings, and 

 of the joyous thanksgivings of the sanctuary for the greatest of all gifts ever 

 bestowed on fallen man. Many a young heart bounds with joy at the sight 

 of its glistening berries, while the eyes of older persons are filled with tears 

 as they recall the looks and voices of those who are gone, and who were 

 wont to gather with them around the Christmas fire. Country people, 

 indeed, commonly call the Holly-bough "Christmas," from the season which 

 it adorns. The custom of decking houses and churches with the plant is 

 one of high antiquity. It seems most probable that it was derived from the 

 practice of the Romans, who at that season sent boughs to their friends 

 during the festival of the Saturnalia. In many cases, customs of this kind 

 Avere gradually adopted by the early Christians, and connected with their 

 own faith. Houses and temj)les were then decked with holly, and Christmas 

 Eac was marked in the Calendar as " Templa exornantur " — " Churches are 

 decked " : 



' ' And there are tliey Avho on this social eve 



Its old observances Avith joy fulfil, 

 Their simple hearts the loss of such would grieve. 



For childhood's early memory keeps them still, 

 I;ike lovely Avild-flowers by a ci-ystal rill, 



Fresh and uufading ; they may be antique, 

 In toAvns disused ; but rui-al vale and hill, 



And those Avho live and die there, love to seek 

 The blameless bliss they yield, for unto them they speak. 



" And therefore do they deck their walls Avitli green ; 



There shines the Holly-bough with berries red ; 

 There too the yule-log's cheerful blaze is seen 



Around its genial Avarmth and liglit to shed ; 

 Round it are happy faces, smiles that spread 



A feeling of enjoyment calm and pure, 

 A sense of happiness home-born, home-bred, 



Whose influence shall unchangeably endure 

 "While Home for English hearts has pleasures to allure." 



Sheep broAvse on the leaves of the Holly, and the deer and rabbit feed on 

 them in winter. They abound in a glutinous substance, which is used in 

 making bird-lime, and the bitter principle of both leaves and bark has been 

 of service in intermittent fevers. Dr. Rousseau, of Paris, made very 

 extensive experiments on the decoction of Holly, and discovered therein the 

 existence of a hitherto unknoAvn principle, called ilicine, Avhich appears to 

 be of more service in some cases than even Peruvian bark. Some species of 



