THE HOLLY 



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ingly sharp and penetrating needles. The 

 stiff and ahnost horny substance of the leaf^ 

 hardened as it is at those extremities, enables 

 it to resist^ or to retaliate^ many injuries from 

 men and animals^ which otherwise might wan- 

 tonly destroy it. 



The wood of this tree, which is very white, 

 is exceedingly hard, solid, and heavy ; and is 

 worked by cabinet makers, and engravers on 

 wood. It is also much used in the manufac- 

 ture of Tunbridge ware. Of the bark, the best 

 bird-lime is made ; the leaves afford food, in 

 winter, to deer in the forest, as do the berries 

 to birds. As an ornamental tree, it is highly 

 esteemed, because it gives an appearance of 

 lively green to our plantations in the severest 

 winter ; and its bright red berries, clustering 

 around the branch, revive the pleasing ideas of 

 fruitfulness, at times when frost and snow have 



