EVEBGBEEN ORNAMENTAL TfiEES. 273 



berries have an exquisitely delicate, waxen appearance, 

 and contribute highly to the beauty of the tree. 



The growth of this tree, even in its native soil, is by no 

 means rapid. In twenty years, says Loudon, it will attain 

 the height of fifteen or eighteen feet, and it will continue 

 growing for one hundred years; after which it becomes 

 comparatively stationary, but will live many centuries. 



When young, the Yew is rather compact and bushy in 

 its form ; but as it grows old, the foliage spreads out in fine 

 horizontal masses, the outline of the tree is irregularly 

 varied, and the whole ultimately becomes highly venerable 

 and picturesque. When standing alone, it generally shoots 

 out into branches at some three or four feet above the 

 surface of the ground, and is ramified into a great numbei 

 of close branches. 



[Fig. 39. The EngUsh Yew.J 



In England, it has been customary, since the earliest 

 settlement of that island by the Britons, to plant the Yew 

 in churchyards ; and it is therefore as decidedly conse- 

 crated to this purpose there, as the Cypress is in the south 



18 



