254 DIOECIA— MONADELPHIA. Taxus. 



The wood, being of extremely slow growth, is hard and tough, 

 formerly highly valuable for making bows, but now chiefly used 

 for fine cabinet work, or inlaying. It makes handsomer chairs 

 than many expensive exotic woods. The leaves are fetid, and 

 very poisonous, and prove speedily fatal to cattle, accidentally 

 tasting them, when young and tender. The berries have a sweet 

 mawkish taste, and may be eaten without danger. 



I have seen, in Mr. Bannerman's nursery near Liverpool, an up- 

 right-branched variety of the Yew, with larger leaves, a little 

 curved downwards, and spreading almost equally every way. 

 This was brought from Ireland, 



