190 Ornamental Shrubs. 



was largely used in the manufacture of goblets and orna- 

 ments. All the members of the family are broad-leaved 

 evergreens, but not all are sufficiently hardy to withstand 

 our extreme northern winters. They are furnished with 

 opposite leaves, entire at the margins, and possessing a 

 peculiarity by which the plates can be easily split. The 

 blossoms are numerous but inconspicuous, growing in 

 axillary clusters, the male and female specimens, though 

 distinct, being on the same plant. There are but two 

 species in ordinary garden cultivation. 



B. sempervirens is the most widely distributed, and is 

 commonly known as the tree box, specimens of which may 

 be seen in many of our old gardens. It is nowhere in- 

 digenous to America though found in similar latitudes 

 throughout England and southern Europe, and even as 

 far east as Persia and perhaps China. At its best it is 

 said to rise in tree form from twelve to fifteen feet, but, as 

 it advances toward the colder regions, it gradually dimin- 

 ishes to three or four feet. The leaves are small, oblong- 

 oval, bright green, and somewhat coriaceous. The wood 

 is hard, close-grained, and capable of a very high polish, 

 the specific gravity being such that it will not float in 

 water. Though small, it is a long-lived tree, many speci- 

 mens found in the Eastern States being considerably more 

 than a hundred years old and still in good condition. The 

 species has given off numerous varieties, some of which 

 as garden plants are to be preferred to the type. B. 

 suffrutico^a, or dwarf box, has been used for edgings to 

 paths and borders more largely than, perhaps, any other 

 plant. Nearly all the old-fashioned gardens in this country, 



