I. Aquifolium : History, etc. 



being that it is a corruption of Holy, as in some 

 old works we find it called the Holy-tree, 

 probably on account of its being so deeply 

 associated with the festival of Christmas and 

 other religious observances. In Germany it 

 bears the name of Christdorn, and a legend is 

 common in that country that leaves of the 

 Holly were employed to form the "crown of 

 thorns " for the Saviour previous to the cruci- 

 fixion. 



In addition to the common name of Holly, it 

 is met with in some places under the names of 

 Holy, Hulver, and Holm ; names which have 

 been perpetuated by the christening of villages 

 and houses after them, such as Holly Springs, 

 Holly Mount, Holly Fort, Hollywood, Holm- 

 wood, Holmsville, Holytown, Holycross, Hulver- 

 wood, etc. 



I. Aquifolium is widely distributed through 

 parts of central and southern Europe, and is a 

 common plant in the British Isles, particularly 

 in England and Scotland, where it often assumes 

 large proportions. It also extends to Asia and 

 is found as far east as Central China ; a variety 

 known as I. A. chinensis being found in the 

 Celestial Empire. In the Balearic Islands a 

 distinct Holly is found which appears to be a 

 connecting link between I. Aquifolium and 

 species common to N. Africa and the Azores. 



In habit it is met with as a moderate sized 



37 



