Holly, Yew and Box 



The poisonous nature of the foliage has prob- 

 ably had something to do with the undesirable 

 associations attributed to the tree, especially as 

 these poisonous qualities were highly magnified 

 by our forefathers of several centuries ago. 

 Some old classical writers stated that it was 

 certain death for anyone to lie down to sleep 

 beneath a Yew. The following extract is from 

 Loudoris Arboretum et Fruticetum : " Plutarch 

 says that the Yew is venomous when it is in 

 flower, because the tree is then full of sap ; and 

 that its shade is fatal to all who sleep under it. 

 Pliny adds to the above that the berries of the 

 Yew are of a mortal poison, particularly in Spain ; 

 and that persons have died, who have drunk 

 wine out of casks made of the wood." 



Gerard tells us " that Nicander in his book of 

 counter poisons doth reckon the Yew-tree among 

 the venomous plants, setting down also a remedy, 

 and that in these words as Gorraeus hath related 

 them " : 



" Shun the poys'nous Yew, the which on Oeata grows, 



Like to the Firre, it causes bitter death, 

 Unlesse besides they use pure wine that flowes 



From empty'd cups, thou drinke, when as thy breath 

 Begins to fade, and passage of thy life 

 Grows straight ! " 



After these ghoulish, dismal, and depressing 

 associations, the more practical if sordid reason 

 of the difference in money value between church- 



168 



