46 HOLLY. LEAVES AND WOOD. 



MOTHER. 



It has been observed, I think by Linnaeus, that 

 the lower branches, within the reach of cattle, 

 bear thorny leaves ; while the upper ones, which 

 do not want a defence, are without thorns. 



u Below, a circling fence, its leaves are seen 



" Wrinkled and keen, 

 " No grazing cattle through their prickly round 



" Can reach to wound ; 

 " But as they grow where nothing is to fear, 

 " Smooth and unarm'd the pointless leaves appear."* 



EDWARD. 



But would cattle eat the leaves, if they had no 

 thorns ? 



MOTHER. 



They would; and in winter, when other food is 

 scarce, the upper boughs, that have smooth leaves, 

 are sometimes cut down, and strewed upon the 

 ground to feed deer and sheep. They peel off the 

 bark also very nicely, and eat it along with the 

 smooth leaves. 



The wood of the holly is remarkably white and 

 hard, and takes a fine polish ; it is much used by 

 inlayers and engravers on wood, and some of the 

 pretty Tunbridge ware is made of it. Holly 

 planted in hedges makes a very durable as well as 

 ornamental fence. 



* South ey. 



