94 REMARKABLE FLOWERS. [CHAP. v. 



curious native plant, well known in country districts 

 as Knee Holly or Butcher's Broom (Ruscus aculeatus). 

 It is a stiff little shrubby plant, whose chief pecu- 

 liarity consists in the situation of the flowers. The 

 foot-stalk of the flower is buried beneath the epider- 

 mis of the leaf, so that it presents the remarkable 

 appearance of a flower growing from the centre of a 

 leaf. The leaves are egg-shaped, 

 sharply pointed, and tolerably stiff ; 

 thus having the attributes of the 

 holly, from which it derives one of 

 its common names. The flower is 

 FIG. 92. v small, greenish white, and shows up 

 like a little star against the dark 

 hue of the leaf. The flower is succeeded by large red 

 berries, like little cherries. The common name of 

 Butcher's Broom was given to it on account of its 

 former use by the butchers for sweeping their blocks, 

 and it is still used for sweeping purposes in Italy. 

 The entire plant grows to the height of about three 

 feet. 



