XXXV111 
PROCEEDINGS OE THE 
the recent one at Aldenham, to which you draw my attention. I alluded to 
yew poisoning in my lecture on ‘ Poisons ’ at our Natural History Society five 
years ago, and the subject was discussed afterwards. Had any Hertfordshire 
case previously been published, some of the speakers would probably have known 
of it and have cited it. There can be no doubt that both the common yew and 
the Irish yew are poisonous. The poison has, in fact, been isolated, but has 
not yet been thoroughly investigated. So far, the evidence points to the exist¬ 
ence in yew of an oily or oleo-resinous acrid principle similar to that of savin, 
and a toxic principle similar to that of foxglove. Mixed with food a few leaves 
may do no apparent harm to animals; taken soon after other food, also, the 
risk of injury is diminished. But a certain quantity, especially if taken into 
a more or less empty stomach, is liable to produce fatal results. With regard 
to the fruit, children often freely partake of it without harm, so that the pulp 
of the pretty berries is harmless; and possibly a few of the black seeds of the 
fruit might not do harm if swallowed whole, for they might pass through the 
system without being acted on by the digestive fluid. But they contain poison, 
and, if crushed in chewing, might prove as harmful as the leaves. It has been 
said that the leaves are more active in the spring than at other seasons of the 
year, but further evidence is required on this point, as on most others of this 
interesting subject. Unfortunately this evidence is not now likely to be forth¬ 
coming, at all events not from Englishmen. Not only do we not yet know what 
antidote to administer to save the life of a child who has chewed up a quantity 
of yew berries, stones and all, but we are not likely to know, for a well-meaning 
but misguided community, yielding to the clamour of a few agitators, has 
socially and almost legally stayed the hands and brains of those .true philan¬ 
thropists, who would in all mercy sacrifice the lives of a few frogs, or mice, or 
even dogs, in order to promote the health and save the lives of men, women, 
and children.” 
Dr. Brett then exhibited a so-called “musical mouse” which 
whilst on the table in a cage began to sing, much to the amusement 
of the members present. 
Mr. Lloyd stated that he once had two “singing mice ” in his 
possession—one died, and the other discontinued singing in about 
six weeks. 
Field Meeting, 19th April, 1884. 
PABK S T BEET AND FBOGMORE. 
Meeting at Frogmore, under the guidance of Mr. F. W. Silvester, 
the party crossed the meadows to Frogmore House and inspected 
the apiary of Mr. Burra. Having walked through the gardens, 
and, under the instruction of the Rev. J. Lingen-Seager, the honorary 
secretary of the Herts Bee-Keepers’ Association, having learned a 
little about that useful insect, Apis mellijica, the party proceeded to 
the Yicarage. 
Here the well-kept apiary of Mr. A. B. Lipscomb was examined. 
The hives were for the most part standing in a bee-house, and were 
examined at the back. The cold weather which has lately pre¬ 
vailed made it inadvisable to enter into anything approaching a 
minute examination of the contents of the bar-framed hives, but 
one frame was lifted out to show the structure and arrangement of 
the combs, and the method in which honey is stored and sealed. 
The exposure of a frame containing brood was, however, carefully 
avoided, in case it should be harmed by the cold wind. One of the 
