500 THE NATIVE TREES AND SHRUBS OF CARNARVONSHIRE. 
Ireland. On the Welsh hills it is occasionally found in what may 
be considered a truly wild state. In such situations it rarely 
rises to a great height, but usually assumes a low spreading habit, 
with little or no inclination to form a main stem, As in most 
other countries, the churchyards in Wales abound with numerous 
fine examples of this tree. To show the great value which 
was set upon the yew in the early Ages, the following extract of 
an ancient Welsh law may be given :— 
“* A consecrated yew, its value is a pound. 
A mistletoe branch, threescore pence. 
An oak, sixscore pence. 
Principal branch of an oak, thirty pence. 
A yew tree (not consecrated), fifteen pence. 
A sweet apple, threescore pence. 
A sour apple, thirty pence. 
A thorn tree, sevenpence-halfpenny. 
Every tree after that, fourpence.” 
The wood of the yew is of a beautiful orange-red or rich brown 
colour, exceedingly hard and close-grained, and takes a fine 
polish, 
