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 distinct and curative uses. Both the Yew and the Ivy were called _abiga_, because [620] causing abortion. From which word when corrupted was formed _iua_; and under this latter name, says Dr. Prior, the Ivy and the Yew became inextricably mixed up.
Moreover, the red berries, or their coloured fleshy cups, are not poisonous when taken in moderation, but rejecting the seeds.
Gerard says: “When I was yong, and went to schoole, divers of my school-fellows and likewise myself, did eat our fils of the berries of this tree, and have not only slept under the shadow thereof, but among the branches also, without any hurt at all, and that not one time, but many times.”
Yet Leo Grindon says, much more recently: “Though the juice and pulp of the sweet and viscid berries are not harmful, still the _seeds_ of the Yew, and the _leaves_ are deadly poison.”
In the _Herbal_ of 1578, Lyte tells us the Yew is altogether venomous, and against man’s nature. “Such as do but only sleep under the shadow thereof become sick, and sometimes they die;” and, “the extract of yew is used by ignorant apothecaries to the great peril and danger of the poor diseased people.”
The Yew tree (_Taxus baccata_) occurs in mountainous woods and rocky glens about Britain, but is rare as of native growth. Its name, Taxus, is a corruption of toxos, an arrow, since arrows in the old time were poisoned with the juice of yew.
The tree was planted frequently by our forefathers in churchyards, because of its value in the manufacture of bows. It is exceedingly long lived, and often attains great magnitude of girth.
