THE YEW. 



305 



der column, terminating in a tuft of stamens. 

 The fertile flower resembles a minute acorn, the 

 cup of which swells, and when ripe has the ap- 

 pearance of red cornelian, enclosing an oval brown 



nut, the summit of which is uncovered. These ber- 

 ries, if berries they may be called, droop when 

 ripe, and contain a sweet glutinous juice. They 

 are of a mawkish, disagreeable taste, but are eaten 

 with impunity by children, and greedily devoured 



II. X 



