310 SYLVA FLORIFERA. [ADDEND. 



during the winter months, when its bright 

 scarlet fruit appears placed on the centre of 

 the upper surface of the leaf, in a manner 

 different from any other native plant we 

 possess. 



The flowers appear in March and April ; 

 they are of a diminutive size, and of a greenish 

 white colour, forming a small star on the leaf 

 when expanded. But, on close examination, 

 the flowers will be found not to grow out of 

 the leaf, but on a pedicle from the bosom of 

 it, which is immersed beneath the outer coat, 

 whence it may with ease be dissected. 



The ancients considered this plant a spe- 

 cies of myrtle, as its Greek name indicates, 

 ogvpvgo-lvyj, meaning prickly myrtle ; and Pliny 

 tells us, that the Latin name in his time was 

 Chamcemyrsine andOxymyrsine. In French it is 

 named HouxFrelon, and Petit Houx, little holly ; 

 and in English it is frequently called Knee- 

 holm, Kneeholly, and Kneehulver. The name 

 of Butcher's Broom was given to it from the 

 custom of binding it into besoms for sweeping 

 butchers' blocks, and defending their meat 

 from flies. 



M. Jussieu ranges it in the family Asparagi; 

 and the young shoots, which spear out of the 

 ground in a similar manner, were formerly 

 gathered and eaten like asparagus. 



