The Yew 



gives the trees, particularly old trees, a very 

 sombre aspect. Although the species is usually 

 dioecious, this is not always the case, for 

 instances occur of both male and female flowers 

 being borne by the same plant. The female 

 flowers are very minute, and are not noticeable 

 except under very close observation ; the male 

 blossoms, on the other hand, are rather con- 

 spicuous, for, though small, they are borne in 

 such profusion as to be distinguishable from a 

 considerable distance when ready to discharge 

 their pollen during March or early April. Pollen 

 is borne in such quantities as to discolour the 

 ground beneath the trees when it is ripe, whilst 

 on a windy day it leaves the trees in clouds. 

 Both male and female flowers are borne from the 

 leaf axils, and the latter are followed by small, 

 nut-like seeds, enclosed, except for the tips, in 

 bright red, fleshy cups. These seeds ripen from 

 October to Christmas, and the bright cups are 

 very effective, lighting up the dark foliage with 

 pendants of coral. The Yews are dangerous 

 trees to plant in places where cattle and other 

 animals can get near enough to browse on them, 

 for the leaves are poisonous, and many cases 

 have been recorded of animals being killed by 

 eating branches of Yew. The flowers and fruits 

 were also regarded as poisonous at one time, and 

 old writers warned apiarists against placing bee- 

 hives in the neighbourhood of Yew trees, as, 



