HOLLYHOCK OF ECONOMIC PLANTS. 213 



trees. Under old trees it is found in lumps measuring G to 8 

 inches in diameter. It is inflammable, and burns witli an 

 aromatic odour. In South America torches are made of it. It 

 is used medicinally in many ways for outward application, and 

 also for pills as a substitute for balsam of copaiba. 



Hog-plum of Jamaica {Spondias lutca), a tree of the Cashew 

 Nut: family (Anacardiacese), attaining a height of 40 to 50 feet, 

 in general appearance resembling the common ash tree of this 

 country. It is commonly cultivated in Jamaica for the sake of 

 its fruit, wliich is of an oval shape and yellow colour, having 

 flesh resembling the common plum. It is not much appreciated, 

 but is used for feeding swine. 



Holly {Ilex aqidfolium), the type of the Holly family (Aqui- 

 foliaceae). The common green - leaved Holly is a native of 

 Middle and Southern Europe, as also of this country. It some- 

 times attains a height of 30 or 40 feet, and has white wood, 

 which is held in repute by cabinetmakers and turners. It is 

 often blackened so as to resemble ebony, and is then used for 

 making teapot and knife and fork handles. Bird lime is made 

 from its bark. It is much planted as an ornamental tree, as 

 well as for forming hedges, the numerous gold and silver leaved 

 varieties being obtained by cultivation. Although its berries 

 afford abundance of food for birds, they are nevertheless poison- 

 ous, fatal cases having been recorded through children eating 

 them. The use made of holly and other evergreens for ornament- 

 ing churches and dwelling-houses at Christmas is well known, 

 but the origin of the custom is uncertain ; it is said to have been 

 practised by the Druids. It was a custom with the Eomans to 

 send sprigs of holly with their gifts to their friends during the 

 Saturnalia, as an emblem of good wishes. This was adopted by 

 the early Christians, and the first record of its having been 

 practised in England is in the reign of Henry VI. 



Hollyhock (Althea rosea), a strong-growing single-stemmed 

 biennial of the Mallow famUy (Malvaceae), a well-known showy 

 garden plant, native of China, of which there are many varieties 

 patronised by florists. Of late years Hollyhocks have been 



