BOX-TREE. 315 



us, used to sing while employed in displacing the boughs 

 of holly : 



" Down with the rosemary and bays, 



Down with the misletoe ; 

 Instead of holly now upraise 

 The greener box for show. 



" The holly hitherto did sway, 



Let box now domineer, 



Until the dancing Easter-day, 



Or Easter eve appear." 



Herrick. 



Who has not read concerning the appropriation of our 

 boughs for the internal decorations of churches at Christ- 

 mas ; and that in the north of England attendant mourners 

 cast our sprigs into the grave, emblems of affection in 

 their greenness and enduring qualities a simple rite, yet 

 appealing much to the heart ? 



My name, associated with the plane and bay, is immor- 

 talized by the natural historian Pliny. He selected us 

 from among all forest-trees, however flowering and um- 



