The Yew-Trees of Great Britain and Ireland

Abstract

NOT far behind the oak stands the yew in popular estimation. Its associations, its form, its distribution, its utility, account for this. We consider it an aboriginal native, and so no doubt it is. From the Tertiary epoch to the present it has been in existence, and now it extends over the whole of the northern hemisphere from Norway to the Azores and Algeria, from Ireland to the Amur. It abounds in certain parts of the Himalayas, and we have it from the ruby mines of Burmah. In Japan a yew exists which it is hard to distinguish from our European species. From Canada to Virginia in Eastern America another species ranges, whilst on the opposite side of the American continent in California and some parts of the “Rockies” yet another is found; one, moreover, is chronicled from the mountains of Mexico. According to circumstances, and especially according to his proclivities, the botanist will range all these as separate species (Parlatore enumerates six), or as representatives of one and the same. The Index Kewensis quotes no fewer than ninety synonyms for these six species, a pretty good illustration of the variation among botanists! Those who visit an extensive tree-nursery, and see the large number of forms known to be seedling variations from the common yew, will be inclined to favour the idea that there is but one species. Those whose research is limited to herbaria may come to the opposite conclusion.

The Yew-Trees of Great Britain and Ireland.

By John Lowe, &c. Pp. xiv + 270. (London: Macmillan and Co., Ltd., 1897.)