112 WOODY PLANTS OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



jecting on both surfaces. They are supported on short, green, 

 hair-like footstalks. 



The fruit is a kind of berry, of a rich scarlet color, formed of 

 the fleshy calyx, embracing the dark-colored, oval nut. When 

 half grown, and green, it has a striking resemblance to an acorn. 



For the sake of the very rich green of the yew, it might be 

 cultivated beneath other trees, its natural habit, to take off the 

 bareness of the surface of the ground; especially under ever- 

 greens planted near a dwelling-house. 



The American yew is often called ground hemlock. It is 

 found at Otis, and in various other places along the Green 

 Mountains. A vigorous stock of it may be seen at the Botanic 

 Garden. 



The wood of the yew is of a yellowish brown color, very 

 heavy, tough, and elastic. The Indians often made their bows 

 of it :— 



" Their bows of double fatal yew." 



This tree is found, prostrate, in Newfoundland, on Lake Hu- 

 ron, in Canada as far as the Saskatchawan ; on the banks of 

 the Columbia, Mr. Douglas assures us, it attains a size equal 

 to that of the yew of Europe.* 



* Hooker, Flor. Bot. Am. II, 167. 



