Ilex — Holly. 137 



of western Asia. It grows in the form of a small tree, ten 

 to twenty feet high, but sometimes reaches much larger 

 proportions, and is famous for its small, round red berries 

 and its glossy, prickly foliage. The leaves are oblong- 

 ovate, deep green, wavy, sharply toothed, and very glossy. 

 The flowers appear in June, and the fruit in late autumn, 

 the berries continuing well into winter. Though perfectly 

 hardy in most parts of England, it is not so in our North- 

 ern States. Still, fine specimens are to be found in gar- 

 dens as far north as the Middle States, and, under favor- 

 ing conditions, in New England. The species has been 

 prolific in varieties, many of which are more beautiful than 

 the original, and are worthy of general introduction to 

 such portions of America as are fitted to receive and care 

 for them. None of them will withstand our extreme 

 northern winters, though many may be grown under glass 

 to advantage, and will repay such treatment. Nicholson, 

 in his Dictionary of Gardening, gives a list of these varie- 

 ties, some of the best of which are as follows : /. a. balcarica 

 is held to be one of the best of its class. It is pretty 

 well known in certain sections of the United States, where 

 it thrives, as having ovate and exceedingly shiny black, 

 entire or spiny-toothed foliage. It is supposed to have 

 originated in Minorca, and is often known as the Minorca 

 holly. /. a. crassifolia has dull green, very thick leaves 

 with recurved margins and prominent saw-like teeth and 

 purple bark. It is a dwarf and a slow grower. /. a. 

 doningtonensis has lanceolate leaves often turned to one 

 side so as to become sickle-shaped. It has few or no 

 spines, and is especially adapted to pyramidal rows. /. a. 



