OBSERVATIONS ON VEGETABLES 361 



hunger when empty (from both which circumstances we 

 have seen them perish), will be meddling, to their certain 

 destruction. The yew seems to-be a very improper tree for a 

 pasture-field. 



Antiquaries seem much at a loss to determine at what 

 period this tree first obtained a place in churchyards. A 

 statute passed A.D. 1307 and 35 Edward L, the title of 

 which is "Ne rector arbores in cemeterio prosternat." 

 Now if it is recollected that we seldom see any other very 

 large or ancient tree in a churchyard but yews, this statute 

 must have principally related to this species of tree ; and 

 consequently their being planted in churchyards is of much 

 more ancient date than the year 1307. 



As to the use of these trees, possibly the more respectable 

 parishioners were buried under their shade before the 

 improper custom was introduced of burying within the 

 body of the church, where the living are to assemble. 

 Deborah, Rebekah's nurse,* was buried under an oak — the 

 most honourable place of interment probably next to the 

 cave of Machpelah,t which seems to have been appropriated 

 to the remains of the patriarchal family alone. 



The farther use of yew-trees might be as a screen to 

 churches, by their thick foliage, from the violence of winds; 

 perhaps also for the purpose of archery, the best long bows 

 being made of that material ; and we do not hear that they 

 are planted in the churchyards of other parts of Europe, 

 where long bows were not so much in use. They might 

 also be placed as a shelter to the congregation assembling 

 before the church doors were opened, and as an emblem of 

 mortality by their funereal appearance. In the south of 

 England every churchyard almost has its tree, and some 



* Gen. XXXV. 8. t Gen. xxiii. 9. 



