374 THE BOOK OF EVERGREENS. 



appropriateness in cemeteries, and for producing certain 

 effects in gardening for which its sombreness particularly 

 fits it. 



The Yew is preferable to all other Conifers for cemetery 

 planting. There is a peculiar richness in the dark glossy 

 foliage, and a certain stiff formality in the growth that 

 please our taste for this particular purpose. Meehan, in 

 his Hand-book, thus speaks of the Yew : " Opinion is di- 

 vided in regard to the merits of this tree in ornamental 

 gardening. Some deem that its long association with the 

 English churchyards and cemeteries suggests ideas too 

 funereal for the life-enjoying pleasures of a garden. Oth- 

 ers look on the well-known degree of abuse it will submit 

 to as a subject of pleasing reflection, suggestive of the vic- 

 torious nature of meek, uncomplaining, persevering effort 

 in overcoming all obstacles. But for the once setting 

 aside both poetry and association, our collections are too 

 scarce of evergreens to allow us to dispense with one, 

 and for my part I admire the Yew." 



The late A. J. Downing, in his usual pleasing style, 

 speaks of it thus: "For the decoration of places of 

 burial it is well adapted, from the deep and perpetual ver- 

 dure of its foliage, which, conjointly with its great lon- 

 gevity, may be considered as emblematical of immortality." 



The allied genera of Taxus, Torreya, Cephalotaxus, 

 Podocarpus, etc., differ but little in the general appearance 

 of the leaves, and are therefore scarcely to be distinguish- 

 ed, excepting when in fruit. The Yews are proverbially 

 long-lived, and instances are given where they have existed 

 for centuries, growing, says Loudon, until they arrive at 

 the age of 100 years, and then remaining stationary. 



The Yews are indigenous in the milder climates of 

 Europe, Asia, and the United States. The name is prob. 

 ably derived from the classical title of " toxon" a bow, 

 in allusion to the wood of this genus being used for mak- 

 ing bows. Other authorities suggest the derivation to be 



