THE TREES OF NORTH CAROLINA. 97 



I am not informed of any popular name by which it 

 is designated in this State, and have above given the 

 one appropriated to it farther south. As it is an 

 Olive, it might properly be called American Olive, 

 It is commonl}' about 10 to 15 feet high, but is some- 

 times 30 and more. The leaves are evergreen, entire, 

 thick and very smooth, and give the tree a very 

 pleasing aspect. The fruit is rather larger than a 

 buckshot, of a bluish-purple color, presenting a pleas- 

 ant contrast to the foliage. The flesh is rather thin 

 over a hard stone, and not eatable. The bark is of 

 a whitish green. The wood has a fine grain, and 

 when dry is exceedingly hard, and very difficult to 

 cut or split, which may furnish a clue, perhaps, to 

 the origin of its name. This tree is well worthy of 

 culture. I have seen it in private grounds under the 

 name of Dahoon Holly ; but the latter is a very dif- 

 ferent thing, being a true Holly or Ilex. 



The remainder of this Group, with the exception 

 of the Crab Apple and Persimmon, have fruit which 

 would popularly be called Berries, and I therefore 

 bring them together, though the first eight succeed- 

 ing genera would not be so called by Botanists. 



1. Holly. (Ilex opaca, Ait.) — ; Common south of 

 New York, and well known through the whole of our 

 State. It is 30 to 40 feet high, and 12 to 15 inches 

 in diameter. The wood is heavy, with a fine, com- 

 pact grain, and takes a brilliant polish. When dry 

 it is very hard, and serves well for pulleys, screws, 



