XLIX. 
THE HOLLY. 
THe Hotiy.—Ilez belongs to the natural order Agui- 
foliacee and to Triandria tetragynia in the Linnean system. 
L. aquifoliwm (L.)\—The prickly leaved, or common Holly, is 
an evergreen tree, usually attaining a height of from twenty 
to thirty feet in a wild state, but a much greater height when 
cultivated. It is found indigenous throughout Britain, on 
dry ground of various qualities, and most frequently asso- 
ciated with other trees. Its services in a living state are 
particularly valuable. When partially shaded, in a congenial 
soil it presents a dark glossy polish on its foliage, of the 
richest description; and as an ornamental tree it has no 
rival, The closeness of its evergreen leaves yields a shelter 
and seclusion at all seasons of the year, very great in propor- 
tion to the space occupied by the tree. It is quite hardy in 
ground moderately elevated, although it does not luxuriate at 
a great altitude. 
As a hedge plant it is much esteemed, particularly when 
grown in the vicinity of a residence, as a boundary to the 
flower-garden, lawn, or pleasure-ground ; it is also esteemed 
as a hedge plant for the protection and division of fields ; 
but in some parts it is unsuitable, from the circumstance of 
its under branches being subject to injury from sheep and 
vermin, which eat them during protracted snow-storms, and 
unless the hedge is young and luxuriant, the plants do not 
readily protrude young shoots at this point to fill up the 
deficiencies, which are commonly rendered the more unsightly 
and conspicuous from the closeness and polish which gene- 
rally prevail throughout the other parts of the fences. Apart. 
