88 



Origin of the f^quent Occurrence 



of so many centuries ; after being the contemporary of suc- 

 cessive dynasties and governments now swept away, and sur- 

 viving various changes in the customs, nay even in the language 

 and religion, of the country; still enjoys a green old age, and 

 promises to remain, for centuries to come, the living, though 

 unconscious, witness of other unforeseen events and changes, 

 when we shall have joined our fathers beneath its shade? 



Since writing the above, I have had an opportunity of seeing 

 many venerable yews in Monmouthshire; and have been in- 

 formed that one or more such may be found in most of the 

 retired country churchyards among the hills in that county and 

 in Breconshire. Though I was not provided with the means 

 of taking sections, the extraordinary dimensions and singular 

 growth of two of these yews deserve to be recorded. The first 

 {Jig. 12.) is in the churchyard of Mamhilad, a few miles north 



j^v 



i? 



of Pontypool : it is a female; and, 2 ft. 6 in. from the ground, 

 where the trunk has a fair medium thickness, it measures 

 29 ft. 4- in. in circumference. At about 4 ft. high, it divides into 

 six main boughs, one of which is quite decayed. The trunk is 

 quite hollow from natural decay ; and on the north side it has 

 an opening down to the ground, which is gradually contracting 

 on both sides by annual deposits of new wood. Within this 

 opening, and in die centre of the original tree, is seen another, 

 and apparently detached, yew, several feet in diameter, covered 

 with bark, and in a state of vigorous growth : it is, in fact, of 

 itself a great tree, and overtops the old one. On examination, 

 however, it is found to be united behind, and also at some 

 distance from the ground, by two great contorted arms, one 

 on each side, to the inner wall of its decaying parent ; being 

 a singular example of natural inarching, and having altogether 

 a very striking and singular appearance. The accompanying 

 portrait of the trunk and main boughs will, I hope, make my 



