Contents xi 



CHAPTER IX 



PAGE 



Bows — Ancient use — Long-bow — Battle of Hastings — 

 Its value in English wars— English supremacy — 

 Various Statutes — Forest laws — Edward ii. — 

 Edward iii. — Edward iv. — French archers — Statute 

 of Henry viii. — Elizabeth — 'Act of Bowyers' — 

 Prices— Importation of foreign bows — Act of Philip 

 and Mary — Companies of Archers — Commission of 

 Charles i. — Bow-making — Cross-bows made of yew 

 — Its inferiority to the long-bow . . . . in 



CHAPTER X 



Poisonous properties of the yew — Classical notices — 

 Wood — Leaves — Fruit poisonous — Dangerous state- 

 ments to the contrary — Effects on man — Taxin in 

 male and female plants — Medicinal use — Valuable 

 as a cardiac tonic — Poisonous effects on animals . 136 



CHAPTER" XI 



Poetical allusions, etc., to the yew in ancient and modern 



times ......... 154 



CHAPTER XII 



Notes, historical, etc., on some of the more remarkable 



trees 180 



Bibliography 261 



Index 265 



