TREES AND SHRUBS 155 



As drying does not weaken the poisonous properties 

 of the leaves, and as there is no warning signal in tlie 

 form of an unpleasant taste or smell, the leaves and 

 berries constitute a real danger to cattle and to children. 

 In winter especially, cattle will readily browse on the 

 leaves. Not only the leaves and berries, but also the 

 wood and bai'k are poisonous, although the leaves, and 

 especially tlie older ones, are the most dangerous. One 

 case is on record in which three horses, taken to be sold 

 at a country fair, had been tethered to the churchyard 

 railings, and had whilst there eaten Yew boughs; all 

 three died from the effects. There are records which 

 show that not only horses, but asses, cows, and rabbits 

 have been poisoned by this plant. The scarlet covering 

 to the seed is not harmful ivhen ripe, but the seed itself 

 is deadly poisonous. It is said that on one occasion on 

 which thirty-two persons had by accident partaken 

 of Yew seeds and leaves, twenty died of the poison. 

 Henslow states that several cases are on record of in- 

 mates of lunatic asylums having died after chewing 

 Yew leaves. The active principles are a bitter alkaloid 

 called taxine, which evolves an aromatic odour, and a 



9 



crystalline alkaloid called viilossine. 



This is the first example of the Gymnosperms with 

 which we have become acquaiiited. Most of the mem- 

 bers of this group possess long needle-like leaves, a 

 characteristic Avhich imparts to most of them a funereal 

 appearance; this is possibly the reason for their frequent 

 appearance in burial grounds. Other examples besides 

 the Yew are the Scotch Pine, the Fir, which is selected 

 for our " Christmas-tree ", the Cypress, and tlie Larch. 



The Common Juniper (Juniperus community). — This 

 is also one of the Gymnosperms, and possesses the 

 characteristic needle-like leaves. It can be distinguished 

 from the other Gynmosperms by 



