282 SYLVA FLORIFERA. 



In Switzerland the yew-tree is only found 

 on the Hatemberg, and the inhabitants of 

 these mountains hold it in great veneration, 

 because formerly they made their cross-bows 

 and wooden lances from it, and then it was 

 forbidden under the most severe penalties, 

 to cut it for other purposes. These simple 

 mountaineers still call it William's tree, in 

 memory of their expert archer William Tell. 



Various have been the reasons assigned 

 for planting these trees in our churchyards. 

 The most probable cause seems to us to have 

 originated in the scarcity of this wood, which 

 would naturally be the case as agriculture 

 spread itself over the country, for no farmer 

 could be safe in turning his cattle into fields, 

 where this baleful evergreen offered its 

 poisonous foliage to their bite. And as it 

 appeared necessary to retain this tree for the 

 sake of its assistance in warfare, it is probable 

 that every parish was obliged to plant a cer- 

 tain number of them in their respective 

 churchyards, where they would be secure 

 from the cattle ; for had it been merely 

 planted there for the purpose of decorating 

 our churches at Christmas and other festival 

 days, we should have seen the holly planted 

 for the same purpose, which is still more in 

 use for that purpose. 



