3G8 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARHORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



was pulled down about the end of last century, but its fine avenue 

 of yew trees, three-quartei's of a mile long, still remains. 



As to the poisonous qualities of the yew, many accidents have 

 occurred to horses and cattle through eating the leaves. Some 

 time ago I was witness to the death of eighteen fine heifers 

 poisoned through eating the ti-immings of a hedge. This was 

 supposed to arise from the twigs having undergone some change 

 in the process of drying, but instances have occuri-ed from eating 

 off the growing tree. The last case that came under my notice 

 was that of two horses — both had browsed ofif a tree, and one 

 died, but the other apparently felt no bad eflfects. On further 

 investigation, however, it appeared that the horses had eaten off 

 diflTerent trees. This fact points to a conclusion I have for some 

 time entertained, namely, that it is either the male or female tree 

 which is poisonous. The ben-ies are undoubtedly poisonous, 

 which would favour the conclusion that the female is the poison 

 tree. A veterinary surgeon pointed out to me a tree off" which a 

 cow partook of a plentiful repast, and he waited the result, 

 expecting every moment to see her sicken and fall, but no bad 

 effect followed. This was a male tree. 



The Scots Fir (Finns sylveslris). — It is said to have been first 

 planted in this county at Bramshill by James VI. of Scotland ; 

 but an old map of the Hursley estate (in Queen Elizabeth's reigii) 

 shows two clumi:»s near Amptield, the big and little fir clump, as 

 then existing ; but whatever was the date, it is admittedly not a 

 native of this county. It has, however, become established by 

 self-sowing on the w^astes and moorlands, and may be said to 

 be quite naturalised. A great number have been planted on 

 unprofitable land within the last seventy or eighty years, both on 

 private properties and the Crown lands of the New Forest, so 

 that, next to the oak, it has become one of the most important of 

 the timber products of the county. 



RANUNCULACEiE. — The Traveller's Joy {Clematis vitalha) is also 

 called the " Virgin's Bower," and the " Old Man's Beard." This is 

 abundant on the chalk, ascending trees and shrubs 30 feet to 

 40 feet in length, and covering the face of disused chalk-})its. 



Apocynace.^;. — The Lesser Periwinkle {Vinca viinor). — Often 

 occurring in woods and shady places, and spreading to a consider- 

 able distance. Flowers blue, but sometimes found with white 

 flower.s. 



The Greater Periwinkle (F. major). — To be found on banks 



