30 THE CHEONICLES OF A GAEDEX. 



is dead and bare ; while full-grown plants of laurel, bay, or 

 holly are so universally admired, that little need be said 

 in their favour. The holly is a universal favourite, beau- 

 tiful alike in shape and foliage ; it needs little care, and 

 looks well at all seasons. I confess to a sincere sympathy 

 with the author of the " Manse Garden," in his enthusiasm 

 for the holly. He says of it most truly — " Of all the trees 

 of the forest, the native holly is the most interesting and 

 beautiful. Whether young, as a shrub in the garden, or 

 old, as a lonely tree of the mountain, its glowing, full, and 

 glossy leaves, gleaming in the winter sun, prove the delight 

 of all eyes." Of its culture he remarks — " Nothing that 

 grows will look so smiling and vigorous under the shade of 

 trees. It may be seen luxuriant where it has been chance- 

 sown by the root of an old oak ; it never knows what it 

 is to die, under any circumstances ; it is peeled by bird- 

 catchers, to whose blackguard calling it seems indispensable, 

 ■ still it lives ; age seems unable to secure its decay ; it is 

 literally ever green." 



There is one peculiar beauty about the variegated holly, 

 the tints of its young and tender leaves ; these assume the 

 most delicate shades of white, pink, and green, each differ- 

 ing from the other, and more resembling blossoms in their 

 colouring than ordinary foliage. The young shoots with 

 their bright leaves seem to attain slowly to their more 

 inature colour, sometimes continuing for a whole summer 

 to adorn the tree, and to afford a daily i)leasure in watch- 

 ing their progress and admiring their variety. They are as 

 attractive to young fingers as flowers; and one instance is 



