CLASS XXI11. ORDER 1] ATRIPLEX. 1297 
ployed. There are not many remains of this taste. Between Henley 
and Oxford there are two cut into the form of peacocks, and in 
Bedfont Church-vard there are two others, “which have now been 
upwards of a century anda quarter reduced to such an unnatural 
condition, their yearly shoots being annually elipped off; and there 
is no chance of escape for these metamorphosed trees, an annuity 
having been left by some eccentric person to keep these Yews thus 
eut for ever.” 
The leaves are poisonous to some animals, though deer, sheep, and 
goats, it is said, eat them with impunity, but cows and horses soon 
die after having eaten only small quantities of them. Fatal accidents 
occurring to these animals are not unfrequent. 
The pulp of the fruit is sweet and mucilaginous, with a sickly 
taste, and is quite harmless; but the seeds are said to be very un- 
wholesome. The propagation of the tree is either from the seeds or 
suckers. 
The medicinal properties of Yew tree leaves are said by some Italian 
physicians to have an effect when administered to man similar 
to that of Digitalis, in reducing the action of the heart and arteries: 
this medicine is said to have an advantage over the use of Digitalis, 
that it does not accumulate in the system, being consequently more 
manageable. In the Pharmacopea del Prof. Antonio Campana, it is 
stated to be given in inflammations, peripneumonia, and asthma, 
often with such effect as to obviate the necessity of abstracting blood. 
The dose is stated to be from six to thirty grains of the powdered 
leaves, repeated every two hours. 
CLASS XXIII. 
POLYGAMIA. 
( Stamens and Pisiils separate, or united on the same, or on different 
plants, and having two different kinds of perianth). 
—— 
ORDER I. 
MONOKECIA. 
(Flowers different on the same plant). 
GENUS [. ATRI'PLEX.--Liyy. Oracue. 
Nat. Ord. CHENOPO'’DEX. Juss. 
Gen. Cuan. Burren and united flowers, perianth five partite. Sta- 
mens five. Pistils imperfect, rarely perfect. Fertile flowers, the 
