7 l 4- 



THE YEW. 



can arrive at it in no other way, curve round the twig and so into 

 line with the rest. 



The leaves are either set at right angles to the twig, or are slightly 

 inclined towards its apex. The shape of the leaves and their arrangement 

 on the twig enable them to lie so closely together as to form an 

 almost uninterrupted surface. A twig of two inches in length carries 

 about fifty leaves, and exposes about the same area of leaf-surface as 

 a beech twig of equal length which carries but three leaves. On 

 the tips of the twigs there are often clusters of soft leaves crowded 

 together so that they resemble cones. A leaf continues to live from 

 eight to ten years. The leaves of the Yew are poisonous. 



FLOWERS AND FRUIT. 



Male and female flowers are usually borne on separate trees, 

 though some trees have flowers of both sexes. 



The Male Flowers are produced in profusion, but are only 

 conspicuous when the anthers are covered with the yellow pollen. 

 The stamens, several together, project from scales which form a cup 



