HOLLY. BOXWOOD. LIGNUM VIT^. 



{Ilex.) {Buxus, Cornus, etc.) (Guajacttm.) 



The woods afforded by these trees are all demanded in 

 small and very perfect pieces to fill needs for which no others 

 appear to be perfectly fitted. The holly {Ilex) grows in 

 Europe and America, where the brilliant evergreen foliage 

 and red berries have long been associated with the Christmas 

 season. The name holly is probably a subversion of ' ' Holy. ' ' * 

 The true boxwood {Buxus sempervirens) attains to some size in 

 Europe and Asia, but remains a small shrub in America, where 

 it is seldom if ever cut for wood, but is placed as a decoration 

 along the borders of walks and gardens. The wood called 

 ' ' boxwood ' ' in America is not therefore derived from the 

 " box." The Lignumvitaes grow in Florida, the West Indies, 

 and on the northern coast of South America. 



Holly-wood is noted for its fine, even grain, but chiefly for 

 its smooth, ivory-white color, fitting it for the white of inlaid 

 work, for carvings and other decorations where white color and 

 fine qualities are required. The principal European source is 

 the Ilex aquifolium, while in America it is the Ilex opaca. 

 Boxwood is, as stated, the name applied to several woods, all 

 noted for their fine compact structure, rendering them suitable 

 for very fine carvings such as are required in wood-engraving. 

 The Eastern product as cut from the true box is so highly 

 prized as to be sold by the pound. American boxwood is 

 chiefly derived from the Flowering Dogwood, the Mexican 

 Persimmon, and the Rose Bay. In Australia several species 

 of Eucalyptus are said to be used. Lignumvits is noted for 

 great strength and hardness. Layers of fibres alternately cross 

 one another so that the wood may be said to crumble rather 

 than split. It has no superior for implements that must be 



* "The German name Christdorn, the Danish name Christorn, and the Swedibh 

 name Christtorn seem to justify this conjecture.'' (Keeler, quoting Loudon.) 



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