89 



XXIX. 



TAXINE^. 



THE YEW. 



TAX US BACCATA. 



The history and associations of the yew give 

 it an almost unique place among our native 

 trees. The origin of the name is said to be 

 from the Celtic word, in', signifying verdure — 

 an allusion to the yew being an evergreen. Its 

 Latin apellation is doubtless derived from taxiis, 

 a bow, the wood of the yew having been the 

 material employed in making the longbow — for 

 centuries the formidable weapon with which our 

 old English archers were so greatly renowned for 

 their skill and prowess. 



" By shafts from bows of bending yew, 

 In streams of crimson gore paid nature's due." 



The importance of the yew for this purpose 

 led to its protection, and formerly, no doubt, it 

 was extensively grown ; but when the bow was 

 superseded by the firearm, its preservation was 

 abandoned, and the yew fell out of favour until 



