THE NATIVE TREES AND SHRUBS OF CARNARVONSHIRE. 499 
has become quite naturalised, single specimens or groups of two 
or three being often met with even at considerable elevations, but 
rarely attaining a greater height than from about 10 ft. to 20 ft. 
Unfortunately, the Scots pine found in woods throughout the 
county, generally, is of the inferior type, few specimens of the 
Highland variety—if variety we can call it—being found, and 
the timber produced by these trees is comparatively worthless 
and almost unsaleable. 
76. The Common Juniper (Juniperus communis).—This is a 
variable shrub as regards height. On the Snowdon range it rarely 
exceeds 4 ft. or 5 ft., while under cultivation and in suitable soils 
specimens may frequently be seen rising to a height of 20 ft., with 
well-branched stems and of picturesque appearance. On the hill 
sides here it is usually a dwarf trailing shrub of rather irregular 
outline, and of a by-no-means ornamental aspect, although occasion- 
ally in some of the sheltered gorges and valleys, fair-sized and 
well-shaped bushes are to be met with. The berries are used in 
medicine and for flavouring gin, while the oil of juniper is valu- 
able in the preparation of varnish, and the branches and spray for 
smoking hams. 
77, The Dwarf Juniper (J. nana).—On the mountain side above 
Ogwen Lake in this county I have found the dwarf juniper pretty 
abundant, forming dense cushions of foliage that rarely rises more 
than 2 in. or 3 in. from the ground. In these its native haunts 
it usually grows amongst detached rocky débris that has got 
mingled with soil, or even in the open ground in company with 
such plants as the crowberry, bilberry, and heath. Some botanists 
consider this but a variety of J. communis, but could such indi- 
viduals see both forms growing in company at high altitudes on 
the Snowdon range, their doubts would be at once removed, and I 
have little doubt but that they would join rank with those who 
consider them as well-defined and distinct species. The dwarf 
habit is retained under the best method of cultivation, several 
experiments having been made in this district to ascertain, if 
possible, whether or not the plant is affected by altitude and 
situation. 
78. The Common Yew (Zaaxus baccata).—This tree is remark- 
able for its slow growth, great longevity, and the extreme 
durability of its wood. It is indigenous in Britain, but was 
at one time far more plentiful than now, as is proved by the 
number of logs found embedded in the soil, more particularly in 
