156 ARBORETUM ET FRUTICETUM BRITANNICUM. 
Genus I. 
MYGINDA Jacq. Tue Myarnpa. Lin. Syst. Tetrandria Monogyuia. 
Identification. Jacq, Amer., p. 24.; Dec. Prod., 2. p.12,; Don’s Mill., 2. p. 15. 
Synonymes. Ilex Pursh; Oredphila Nutt. in Tor. and Gray. 7 
Derivation. So named by Jacquin in honour of Francis von Mygind, a German botanist. 
Gen. Char. Calyx small, 4-cleft. Corolla deeply 4-cleft, subiotate. Stamens 4, 
alternating with the segments of the corolla, and shorter than them, and 
inserted in its throat. Ovary roundish. Stigmas 4. Drupe ovate, 1-celled. 
(Don’s Mill.) 
Leaves simple, mostly opposite, exstipulate, evergreen ; entire or remotely 
serrulated. Vowers axillary, subsolitary, minute. — One species is hardy. 
«1, M. myrtiro Lia Nutt. The Myrtle-leaved Myginda. 
Identification. Nutt. Gen., 1. p. 109. , Don’s Mill, 2. p. 15.3 Dec. Prod., 2. 
Seapine, Tex Myrsinites Pursh ; Oredphila myrtiidia Nute 
Engravings. Hook Fl. Bor. Amer., t. 41.; and our fig. 2h 
Spec. Char., §c. Leaves oblong, blunt, serrated, smooth, 
with revolute edges. Peduncles very short usually soli- 
tary, 1-flowered. Style short, club-shaped 4-lobed at the 
apex. (Don’s Milt.) A low evergreen shrub. N.W. 
coast of North America, and the Rocky Mountains. 
Height 2 ft. to 4 ft. Intrcduced in 1818. Flowers small, 
white ; May to August. Drupe dark purple; ripein Oct. 
Plants of this species are in the arboretum of Messrs. 
Loddiges ; where it is increased by cuttings, and grows in 
common soil. 
214. M. myrtifolia. 
Genus II. 
, 
® | 
ILEX L. Tue Horry. Lin. Syst. Tetrandria Tetragynia. 
Identification. Lin. Gen., No. 172.; Dec. Prod., 2. p. 13.; Don’s Mill., 2. p. 16. 
Synonymes. Aquifolium Tourn. Inst. t. 871., Gert. Fruct. 2. t.92.; Houx, Fr.; Stechpalme, or 
pacines Gers lice, Itai. ang 
erivation. heophrastus, and other Greek authors, named the holly Agria; that is, wi 
the fields; and the Romans formed from this the word ‘Agrifolium, cad called it, flee “Aad 
folium, from acutum, sharp, and folium, a leaf. C. Bauhin and Loureiro first named it Tex on 
acoount of the resemblance of its leaves to those of the Quércus I‘lex, the true Ilex of Virgil. 
Linnzus adopted the name of Ilex for the genus, and preserved the uame of Aquifdlium for the 
most anciently known species. The name of Holly is, probably, a corruption of the word holy, 
as Turner in his Herbal calls it Holy, and Holy Tree; probably from its being used to comme- 
morateythe holy time of Christmas, not only in houses, but in churches. The German name 
Christdorn; the Danish name Christorn, and the Swedish name Christtorn, seem to justify this 
gonjecture. 
Gan. Char. Calyx 4—5-toothed, permanent. Corolla 4—5-cleft, subrotate. 
Stamens 4—5, alternating with the segments of the corolla, Ovary sessile. 
Stigmas 4, Berry containing 4—5 1-seeded nuts. (Don’s Mill.) 
Leaves simple, alternate, exstipulate, mostly evergreen; ovate, oval, or 
ovate-lanceolate, coriaceous, serrated, toothed, or quite entire. Flowers | 
axillary, aggregate, small, generally white. Fruit a drupe, mostly red.—Low 
trees and shrubs, chiefly evergreen, natives of Europe, North America, and 
the Himalayas, generally of slow growth, and of long duration. Loamy 
soil, rather dry than moist. 
