84 



THE YEW. 



Now, as to the distant relations of the 

 pine family, we must introduce one or two of 

 them. The Yew tree, formerly very plentiful 

 in England, and very celebrated also in its 

 foliage, which consists of slender needle-shaped 

 leaves, resembles not a little the firs ; and, 

 like them too, it bears the sort of fruit called 

 cones ; but, in other respects, it is very differ- 

 ent; as in the shape and structure of the 

 tree, the nature of the wood, and the man- 

 ner of its growth. It sheds its bark every 

 year, but retains its leaves. The berries, about 

 the size of a small nut, are formed of the 

 most delicate wax-like materials, and contain 

 a transparent glairy fluid, like the white of an 



