168 
ILEX OPACA. 
abundantly along the maritime parts of the United States, to the Floridas, and 
also in lower Louisiana, and western Tennessee ; but it is observed to become 
rare in approaching the mountains. It was introduced into Britain in 1744, and 
is cultivated in many of the European gardens and collections. The largest trees 
of this kind recorded in England are in the gardens at the Walton House, at 
Syon, and at White Knights, near Reading. The height of those at Syon 
exceed twenty-five feet. 
There are several fine specimens of the Ilex opaca on the farm of Colonel Minott 
Thayer, in Braintree, Massachusetts, which are about a foot in diameter, a yard 
above the ground, and twenty-five feet in height. They have maintained their 
present dimensions for more than fifty years, and probably are several centuries 
old. 
Soil, Situation, fyc. In New Jersey, and on the eastern shore of Maryland, 
and in certain parts of Virginia, where it is particularly abundant, this species 
grows almost exclusively on open grounds, and in dry, gravelly soils ; while in 
South Carolina, Georgia, and lower Louisiana, it is seen only in shady places, 
on the edges of swamps, where the soil is cool and fertile. In Massachusetts, 
Rhode Island, and Connecticut, it usually grows in a warm, sandy loam, and in 
sheltered situations. It may be propagated in the same manner as the Euro- 
pean holly, and formed into hedges, or cultivated as an ornamental tree in gar- 
dens. 
Properties and Uses. The wood of the American holly resembles that of the 
European species, except that it is rather browner at the heart. It is compact, 
heavy, of a fine grain, and is susceptible of a brilliant polish. Its principal use 
is for inlaying mahogany furniture, and for turning into small boxes for drug- 
gists, and for small screws. When perfectly seasoned, it is very hard and 
unyielding, which renders it well adapted for pulleys used in ships. It may be 
dyed of various colours, so as to resemble many foreign woods. The bark may 
be employed for making bird-lime, in a similar manner as that of the preceding 
species. Medicinally, it is emetic and cathartic. The berries, taken to the num- 
ber of fifteen or twenty, will excite vomiting, and will also act as a purgative. 
