FiR TRIBE. 



577 



TAXUS BACCATA (Common Yew). 



3. TAXUS (Yew). Barren flowers in oval catkins 

 which are scaly below ; stamens numerous ; fertile flowers 

 solitary, scaly below ; fruit a naked seed, surrounded at 

 the base by the enlarged pulpy scales. (Name, the Latin 

 name of the tree.) 



T. baccdta (Common Yew), the only British Yew, 

 is an evergreen tree, remarkable for its longevity. The 

 foliage is poisonous ; but the berries are said to be inno- 

 cuous, being often eaten by children without ill effect. 

 The variety called Irish Yew has erect instead of 

 spreading branches. 



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