EVERGREEN, OR HOLM OAK. 303 



in length, the calyx is campanulate, the stamens six, with 

 filaments twice the length of the divisions of the calyx. 

 The female flowers, from four to eight in number, are 

 sessile upon a common peduncle, which arises from the 

 axils of the leaves of the same year, and the acorns are not 

 ripe till the autumn of the second year. These vary in 

 size and shape upon different trees, and the cup is closely 

 imbricated with small scales. The acorns of the Ilex are 

 generally harsh and bitter, and not eatable, like those of its 

 near congener the Quer. Gramnmntia, whose fruit is little, 

 if at all, inferior to the finest chesnuts. The heart or ma- 

 tured wood of the Ilex is of a very close texture, extremely 

 hard and heavy, weighing as much as seventy pounds the 

 cubic foot. It is of a brown colour and takes a fine polish, 

 but is subject to split and twist in drying. It is very dur- 

 able, even when exposed to weather or the alternation of 

 dryness and moisture ; and, as its lateral and longitudinal 

 adhesion are considerable, it possesses a flexibility sufficient 

 to render it an excellent material for the handles of hatchets 

 and other tools, as well as for many purposes where great 

 strength and resistance to friction are required. Du Hamel 

 recommends it as a ship timber, but its weight and usual 

 want of scantling are against its employment in naval 

 architecture. It makes an excellent and lasting charcoal, 

 and we learn from Captain Cook's (now Widdrington) 

 " Sketches in Spain,' 11 that in Castile the Evergreen Oaks 

 or Encinas* constitute the only fuel the inhabitants possess, 

 and that the supply is rapidly decreasing from the impro- 

 vident habits of the peasantry, whose practice it is " to 

 level the whole tract which they attack. The consequence 

 is, that there is a tolerably vigorous spring from the stocks, 



* In Spain, Enci/iu is the name by which the Quer. I. Grammunlia of authors 

 is designated ; the other species have each their distinct appellations. 



