POETRY OF FLOWERS. 113 
HOLLY. 
liex . Class 4; Order 4. 
FORESIGHT. 
I, in this wisdom of the holly-tree can emblems see. 
Soutiiey. 
If ever any production of nature testified to 
the superintending care of a Supreme Being, it 
is the Roily ; that evergreen bush which “out¬ 
dares cold winter’s ire,” and with its shining- 
green foliage and brilliant red berries, forms 
such a cheerful contrast with the general life¬ 
lessness of the landscape in winter. In frost, 
in snow, in sun or rain, its glossy leaves are 
ever seen beaming brightly, inspiriting dreary 
hearts to renewed hopes and exertions. 
Of the various evergreens which the English 
use at Christmas for decorating their houses and 
churches, none is such a favorite, and is deemed 
so thoroughly emblematic of that festive season, 
as the much-admired holly. 
It is stated that in some parts of the country 
there is a singular custom of beating the feet, 
when afflicted with chilblains, with a branch of 
holly, from some lingering superstitious idea of its 
curative powers. It is to be hoped that the upper 
or thornless portion of the tree is used, otherwise, 
as our authority naively observes, the castigation 
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