59. 
THH HOLLY. 
Tlew aquifolium. 
PuatE 8, Fid, 3. 
CORRUPTION of the word 
‘holy’ is believed by some 
botanical writers to have given 
origin to the common name of 
Ilex aquifolium, for the reason 
that it was in former times—as 
it is now—largely employed for pur- 
: poses of decoration at the holy season 
f of Christmas. The generic scientific 
name Ilex was suggested on account of the like- 
ness of its leaves to those of Quercus ilex. No 
shrub or Tree is more familiar than this beautiful 
species. Though ordinarily seen as a more or 
