306 



THE YEW. 



by wasps and moths. The nut contains a kernel, 

 which is eatable, and has an agreeable flavour like 

 that of the Stone Pine. The leaves are poisonous, 

 though to what extent is a disputed question ; but 

 of this there can be no doubt, that their effects on 

 the human frame are deadly, and that to give them 

 to cattle is a perilous experiment. Instances are 

 on record of cattle eating them with impunity, 

 mixed with other fodder : but whether in a green 

 or half-dry state, they are highly dangerous. It 

 appears from all accounts that the poison is more 

 virulent in the young shoots than in any other 

 part of the tree, but that it exists in greater or 

 less quantities both in the fully expanded leaves 

 and in the green bark. 



" As to its picturesque perfections," says Gil- 

 pin, *^ I profess myself (contrary I suppose to 

 general opinion) a great admirer of its form and 

 foliage. The Yew is of all trees the most tonsile. 

 Hence all the indignities it suffers. We every- 

 where see it cut and metamorphosed into such a 

 variety of deformities, that we are hardly brought 

 to conceive it has a natural shape, or the power 

 which other trees have of hanging carelessly and 

 negligently. Yet it has this power in a very 

 eminent degree ; and in a state of nature, except 

 in exposed situations, is perhaps one of the most 

 beautiful evergreens we have. Indeed, I know 

 not whether, all things considered, it is not supe- 

 rior to the Cedar of Lebanon itself, I mean to 

 such meagre representations of that noble plant 

 as we have in England. The same soil which 

 cramps the Cedar is congenial to the Yew. It is 

 but seldom, however, that we see the Yew in per- 

 fection. In New Forest it formerly abounded. 



