19 
height of 30-40 ft. with sometimes quite erect branches. The 
leaves are always acicular ++} in. long, green below with a 
The fruits have been of commercial importance for a long period. 
They are used for flavouring gin and at one time a considerable 
quantity was exported from Scotland to Holland for the purpose. 
Some particulars of the trade were given by Thomas Thomson, 
M.D., in 1838, in the “‘ Chemistry of Organic Bodies,’’ p. 463. 
He there says: “‘The distillers of Rckibtnth were formerly in 
purposes. In the ‘‘ Resources of the Southern States of 
America,’’ by F, P. Porcher, 1869, pp. 187-188, peo berries 
of certain species are said to be used with apples, pears 
and the fruits of Amelanchier canadensis in the preparation of a 
A very dwarf form J. communis var. nana, sometimes con- 
sidered to be a distinct species, is found in some parts of Ire- 
land. 
J. drupacea, Labil.—Drupe-fruited Juniper, Syrian Juniper. 
This is a very distinct species, native of Asia Minor and Syria, 
where it often grows 60 ft. high with a considerable girth. 
Under cultivation it is known as a narrow fastigiate tree easily 
distinguished amongst other species by its large, acicular leaves 
which often exceed } in. in length and } in. in diameter. 
The fruits are larger than those of any other Juniper for they are 
sometimes 1 in. in length and 3 in. in diameter. The fleshy 
outer part is said to be eaten by the inhabitants of regions where 
the species is common. Although the timber is reputed to be of 
good quality, the consumption is apparently quite local. In 
the Kew Museums the wood is poorly represented, there being 
but one small piece. That is from the Taurian Alps and shows 
about 220 annual rings in a diameter of 6 in. : 
J. excelsa, Bieb.—Grecian Juniper. 
A tree widely distributed from the Balkans through South- 
East Europe to Asia Minor and Syria. It appears to attain its 
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