684 



THE NATURE BOOK 



^.'V-'"^' H 



TRUNK AND BARK OF HOLLY. 



green leaves, adapted to 

 withstand and endure stress 

 of \vinter. Their margins 

 are plentifully armed with 

 sharp spines, and as the 

 leaves are spirally arranged 

 on the twigs, and moreover 

 as each leaf- blade curls and 

 twists, these sharp points 

 are presented in every 

 direction, thus affording a 

 sure protection against 

 browsing cattle. They are, 

 however, no defence against 

 cropping by deer. There is 

 a noticeable tendency to 

 forego this defence on the 

 higher branches, where the 

 necessity for it is lessened by 

 their being out of reach. 

 This cannot, from the evi- 

 dence afforded by our native 

 Hollies, be defined as more 

 than a tendency. The 

 leaves, according to Dr. 

 Groom, remain attached for 

 about four years. 



The small flowers, having 



four creamy petals, are crowded together 

 at the base of the previous year's leaf- 

 stalks. They are, as a rule, incomplete, 

 having only rudimentary stamens or 

 pistil, but the flowers on each tree are 

 usually in agreement. In consequence 

 of this some trees display no winter 

 crop of berries. The fruit, however, is 

 not a berry. It is a stone fruit with 

 four stones. As the bright colour and 

 pulpy substance of the fruit would lead 

 us to expect, the seeds in their hard 

 shells are dependent upon the birds for 

 their dispersal. 



THE LABURNUM 



The pea-pod tribe of plants is one 

 of the most extensive. It includes, 

 amongst herbs, the peas and beans, 

 the vetches, the clovers, and many 

 others ; amongst shrubs, the broom and 



HEDGEROW HOLLY. 



