13
affinity to the tallest Cedar; since, were not ours continually cropped, chapbut maintained in single stems, we might perhaps see some ofthem rise to competent trees, fit for many curious works, such as tables,cabinets, coffers, inlaying, floors, carvings, &c. We read of some ofthese trees so large as to have made beams and rafters for a certaintemple in Spain , dedicated to Diana; nor need we question their being
parts of England; for it grows naturally only in dry, chalky, sandy land; and where thesoil is opposite to this, it is rarely found. Thus, in Leicestershire it is so little known, thatwhen growing amongst other trees in a shrubbery, it is as much inquired after as any of themost rare and curious shrubs ; and indeed, when properly raised from seeds, and planted ingardens, it is a pretty spreading evergreen, Those who have been used to see it in itswild state, on sandy, barren commons, &c. will have little inducement to plant it, as therethey see it procumbent, seldom showing a natural tendency to aspire; but when plantedin a good soil, it grows to the height of fifteen or sixteen feet, and produces numerousbranches from the bottom to the top, forming a well-looking, bushy plant. These branchesare exceedingly tough, and are covered with a smooth bark of a reddish colour, with a gentletinge of purple. The leaves are narrow and sharp-pointed; they grow by threes on thebranches; their upper surface lias a greyish streak down the middle, but their under is of afine green colour, and they garnish the shrub in great plenty. This shrub flowers in April andMay. The flowers are small, of a yellowish colour, and make no figure. They are suc-ceeded by berries, which are of a blueish purple when ripe,
2. The Swedish Juniper has a natural tendency to grow to a greater height, and consequentlyhas more the appearance of a tree than the former. Sixteen or eighteen feet, however, is thehighest it commonly grows to; and the plants raised from its seeds have, for the most part,a tendency to grow higher, and become more woody and branching. The leaves,^flowers,and fruit grow in the same manner as the former, which shows it to be a variety only. Oldbotanists mention it as a distinct species: Caspar Bauhine afserts this, and calls one theShrubby Juniper , and the other the Tree Juniper; he also mentions another sort, which hecalls the Lefser Mountain Juniper, with a broader leaf and a larger fruit.
2. JUNIPERUS (Oxtcedrus) foliis undique imbricalis obtusis, ramis teretibus. Mill.Diet. Juniper with obtuse leaves every where lying over each other, and taper branches. Juniperus major, bacca rufescente. C. B. P. 489. Greater Juniper with a brownish berry. Oxycedrus.Clus. Hist. 1. Spanish juniper.
This sort grows rather higher than the Swedish in some soils. It will be feathered from thebottom to the top, if left untouched from the first planting, or if not crowded with othertrees. The leaves are awl-shaped, and finely spread open. They are very short, sharp-pointed, and give the tree a fine look. The flowers of this shrub are succeeded by largereddish berries, which are very- beautiful when ripe.