122 



THE HOLLY. 



Here is a very fine tree of Holly ; but^ I 

 perceive, he shews off with a good deal more 

 than belongs to him. The ivy has entwined 

 itself so firmly round, and mingles its likewise 

 shining dark green leaves so intimately with 

 those of the tree it hangs on, that at a dis- 

 tance, one can scarcely be distinguished from 

 the other. The holly leaf, however, is one of 

 the most remarkable in nature. By a singular 

 contrivance, the points between the scollops of 

 the leaf are made to answer the purpose of 

 thorns, pointing every way. The leaf is as if 

 it were warped by the action of fire, up and 

 down, or in and out at the edges ; so that it 

 is armed, above and below, by those exceed- 



