346 



WOODS OF COMMERCE. 



branches are valued for walking-sticks and whip-handles. In the 

 latter part of the 18th century veneers of Yew burrs were largely 

 used for tea-caddies and other small articles. There is in the 

 library of the India Office a Persian illuminated manuscript on 

 thin sheets of Yew. 



Yew, Californian, Pacific or Western (Tdxus brevifdlia 

 Nutt.). Pacific slope from British Columbia to South California, 



FIG. 66. Longitudinal section of Yew (Taxus baccdtaii.). 



up to altitudes of 8000 ft. Height 4050 or 80 ft. ; diam. 12 

 ft. Sapwood pale yellow; heart orange-red, heavy, hard, fine- 

 grained, extremely stiff and strong, seasoning well and durable. 



Yew, Japanese (Tdxus cuspiddta S. and Z.). Yeso, and long 

 cultivated throughout Japan. Japan " Ichii, Momi-noki, Araragi." 

 Height 40 50 ft. ; diam. 2 ft. Dark reddish, handsome, close- 

 grained, tough. Used by the aboriginal Ainu for bows and by 

 wealthy Japanese for cabinet-work and interior finish. Used also 

 for pencils. 



