A ghastly superstition was attached to the Yew when thus

A ghastly superstition was attached to the Yew when thus growing in a churchyard, that it would prey upon [621] the dead bodies lying beneath its sombre shade. So Tennyson writes (_In Memoriam_):–

“Old Yew! which graspest at the stones That name the underlying dead, Thy fibres net the dreamless head, …


YEW.

Although the Yew–a Conifer–which is so thoroughly English a tree, is known to be highly poisonous as regards its leaves to the humans subject, and as concerning its loppings or half-dead branches, to oxen, horses, and asses, yet a medicinal tincture (H.) is made from the young shoots, which has …


A medicinal tincture (H.) is prepared from the whole plant

A medicinal tincture (H.) is prepared from the whole plant with spirit of wine. This, when employed in a diluted form of the first or third decimal strength, and [618] in small doses of from five to ten drops in a tablespoonful of cold water, will act admirably in arresting …


YARROW.

The Yarrow, from _hiera_, holy herb (_Achillea millefolium_), or Milfoil, is so called from the very numerous fine segments of its leaves. It is a Composite plant very common on waysides and in pastures throughout Britain.

The name _Achillea_ has been bestowed thereupon because the Greek warrior, Achilles, is said to …


Absinthe, a liqueur concocted from Wormwood, is used largely in

Absinthe, a liqueur concocted from Wormwood, is used largely in France, and the medical verdict pronounced there about its effects shows that it exercises through the pneumogastric nerve a painful sensation, which has been taken for that of extreme hunger. This feeling goes off quickly if a little alcohol is …


WORMWOOD.

The common Wormwood (_Artemisia absinthium_) has been partly considered here together with Mugwort, to which it is closely allied. It is a Composite herb of frequent growth on waste ground, being a bushy plant with silky stems, and collections of numerous small heads of dull yellow flowers. The name Wormwood …


WOODSORRELL (_See also “Docks.”_)

This elegant little herb, called also French Sorrel, Rabbits’ food, Shamrock, and Wood Sour (_Oxalis acetosella_), is abundant throughout our woods, and in other moist, shady places. It belongs to the natural order of Geraniums, and bears the provincial names of Sour trefoil, Cuckoo’s bread, or Gowk’s-meat, and Stubwort (from …


A fragrant and exhilarating tea may be made from the

A fragrant and exhilarating tea may be made from the leaves and blossoms of the sweet Woodruffe, and this is found to be of service in correcting sluggishness of the liver. “When it is desired,” says Mr. Johns, “to preserve the leaves merely for their scent, the stem should be …


WOODRUFF.

Concerning the Sweet Woodruff (_Asperula odorata_), it is a favourite little plant growing commonly in our woods and gardens, with a pleasant smell which, like the good deeds of the worthiest persons, delights by its fragrance most after death. This herb is of the Rubiaceous order, and gets its botanical …


WHITETHORN. (_See_ “Hawthorn,” _page 245_.)

WHORTLEBERRY. (_See_ “Bilberry,” _page 52_.)