THE YEW. 87 



lilks, birds and beafts of yew decorated 

 the court-yards of our country-houfes, and 

 fupplied matter of admiration to the gaz- 

 ing paflenger. A better ufe of its obe- 

 dience to the (hears was made in the tall 

 and impenetrable yew hedges, which fhel- 

 tered and protected the antient gardens. 

 The yew, however, has always lain under 

 the imputation of pofTeffing noxious qua- 

 lities. It is thought prejudicial to bees, 

 and horfcs and cows have been killed by 

 eating quantities of its clippings. There 

 are even inflances of a fmall dofe of the 

 frefh leaves proving fatal to children to 

 whom it was given as a remedy for the 

 worms. The fvveet and vifcid berries .are 

 eaten without inconvenience. The wood 

 is at prefent valued by cabinet-makers and 

 inlaytrs on account of its beautiful red 

 veins ; and is alfb a good material for axles, 

 cogs for mill-wheels, flood-gates for fifh- 

 ponds, and other works of ftrength and 

 durability. 



THE 



