282 SYLVA FLOR1FERA. 



This tree appears to have been formerly 

 called Hulver, by which name it is still known 

 in Norfolk, and Holme, in the southern 

 counties ; as appears by the name it has 

 given to many places where it grows na- 

 turally, as the Holmwood between Horsham 

 and Dorking. Mr. Evelyn says, that the vale 

 near his house, in Surry, was anciently called 

 Holmesdale. We presume, the name of 

 Holly is a corruption of the word holy, as 

 Dr. Turner, our earliest writer on plants, calls 

 it IpOlg and !J)Olg^fr0; which appellation was 

 given it, most probably, from its being used 

 in holy places. It has a great variety of 

 names in Germany, amongst which is Christ- 

 dorn ; in Danish, it is also called Chirstorn, 

 and in Swedish Christtorn, amongst other 

 appellations ; from whence it appears, that it 

 is considered a holy plant by certain classes 

 in those countries. 



The disciples of Zoroaster believe, that the 

 sun never shadows the holly-tree. There are 

 still some followers of this king of the magi 

 to be found in the wilds of Persia, and some 

 parts of India ; who, when a child is born, 

 throw in its face water which has been put in 

 the bark of a holly-tree. 



Pliny tells us, that Tiburtus built the city 

 of Tibur, near three holly-trees, over which 



