362 



TAXACEJE. 



Specifically the Common Yew is distinguished by having 

 its leaves 2-ranked, naked, linear, and flat ; the recep- 

 tacle of the barren or male flowers globular. The outline 

 of this tree, during its period of growth, is pyramidal or 

 broadly conical, the summit presenting a pointed or peaked 

 appearance, nor does it lose this form or become round- 

 headed for many years, indeed, not until it has attained 

 its utmost growth, and incipient decay in the topmost 

 branches marks the period when it has passed maturity, 

 a condition it frequently does not arrive at, before several 

 centuries have been numbered. It grows with a stiff erect 

 stem, short in proportion to its bulk, and, when left to its 

 natural growth, numerous nearly horizontal branches spring 



from within a very short distance of the ground ; these, 

 if left unmolested, annually elongate, and at length cover 

 with their umbrageous spray a large space of ground. 

 The trunk, as well as the larger branches of the Yew, 

 are seldom if ever seen perfectly round or smooth, but 

 are deeply grooved longitudinally, much in the same man- 

 ner as the trunks of the hornbeam and the Lombardy 

 poplar ; they are covered with a thin bark of a rich red- 



