264 



A DISCOURSE 



CHAP. XXI. 



The YEW, HOLLY, CORNUS, and BOX. 



BOOK L J- AXUS, the YEW Since the use of bows is laid aside amongst uSj 

 "•"'^y^^ tlie propagation of this tree is quite forborne. But the neglect of it is to 



be deplored ; seeing that the barrenest grounds, and coldest of our 



mountains 



■ - ' ■ Aquilonera et frigora taxi. 



might be profitably replenished with it : I say, profitably ; for, besides 

 the use of the wood for bows^ 



I Ityrasos taxi torqu^ntur in arcusi 



the artists in Box, inlayers, and cabinet-makers (particularly for marquetry 

 floors) most gladly employ it ; and in Germany they wainscot their stoves 



^ We have but one species of this tree in Europe, viz. 



TAXUS (baccata) foliis approximatis. Lin. Sp. Plant. 1472. Yerti-iree with leaves 

 growing near each other. The common YEW-TREEi 



It is of the class and order Dioecia Monad elphiui 



This tree grows naturally in England, and also in most of the northern counties of 

 Europe> and in North-America. If suffered to grow, it will rise to a good height, with 

 a very large stem. It naturally sends out branches on every side, which spread out, and 

 are almost horizontal ; these are closely garnished with narrow, stiff, blunt-pointed leaves, 

 of a very dark green. The flowers come out from the sides of the branches in clusters ; 

 the male-flowers having many stamina, are more conspicuous than the female ; these for 

 the most part are upon different trees, but sometimes are upon the same tree ; they appear 

 the latter end of May, and the berries ripen in autumn. 



The Yew-tree has been generally cultivated for the pleasure-garden, to be clipped 

 into t?ie shape of beasts, birds, &c. or for hedges. Whoever is pleased with such figures, 

 can raise no tree more proper for the purpose, as the branches and the leaves may 

 be clipped and fashioned into almost any form or shape. But as this method is justly 

 exploded, and as every one who has the least pfetension to taste, must always prefer a tree 

 in its natui-al growth to those monstrous figures^ the Yew is now chiefly planted for wilder-* 



