166 



SYLVAN SKETCHES. 



mahogany, which had a very pretty effect. It is much 

 used, as well as box, yew, whitethorn, &c. in the little 

 toys and trinkets called Tunbridge-ware. It is also of 

 much use in veneering, and is stained to imitate ebony. 



Of the green bark, boiled and laid in the damp to 

 ferment, bird-lime is made. 



The varieties of the Common Holly are innumerable, 

 and in the multiplicity of names, might vie with the 

 tulip or hyacinth ; but a repetition of mere names would 

 be of little interest to the reader : the chief varieties are 

 the gold and the silver-edged, the hedge-hog, and that 

 with fellow berries, the painted lady, the glory of the 

 west, Cheyne^s Holly, &c. 



The Dahoon Holly, Ilex Dalioon^ produces no fruit in 

 this country, where it was introduced in 1726. There 

 are two species of Carolina, Ilex cassine, and Ilea' opaca, 

 one of which is deciduous. 



The South Sea Holly, South Sea tree, or Evergreen 

 Cassine (Ilex vomitorid)^ is scarcely hardy enough for 

 our climate, and cannot be trusted in the open air till it is 

 several years old. The leaves of these are about the size, 

 texture and colour of those of the small-leaved Alaternus : 

 it is a native of West Florida, Carolina, and some parts 

 of Virginia, particularly near the sea. These leaves are 

 preferred, as a substitute for tea, to those of the cassine 

 or cassioberry bush, because they are less bitter. 



It is said that the Indians consider this tree as a panacea; 

 at certain times of the year they hasten in droves to the 

 coast, from a distance of three hundred miles; they 

 make a fire upon the ground, and putting a kettle of 

 water on it, they throw in a large quantity of these 

 leaves, and, sitting round the fire, they begin to drink 

 large draughts from a pint bowl which they have with 



