276 THE BOOK OP EVERGREENS. 



length or small, awl-shaped, exceedingly acute, spreading, 

 very numerous, glaucous above, light green below. Branch- 

 es and branchlets very numerous, crowded. Fruit spheri- 

 cal, glossy, bright red color. 



This curious little plant, as its specific name implies, 

 forms a complete hemisphere, and usually measures from 

 one to two feet in diameter. The branches are very nu- 

 merous, crowded, quite small ; and the branchlets are so 

 dense and thickly covered with leaves as to make a com- 

 plete mass of sharp, awl-shaped points, extending out in 

 every direction. 



Our specimen is now ten years old, and is but one foot 

 in diameter; it has nevertheless been remarkably healthy, 

 and has sustained its lively green hue through the vicissi- 

 tudes of a changeable climate, never altering its color, 

 even in the coldest winters or during the most severe 

 droughts. Its odd appearance has caused the name of 

 Hedge-hog Juniper to be applied to it; and although 

 rather inelegant for so pretty a little plant as this, it is 

 certainly very expressive. 



It is a native of the sterile sides of Mt. Etna, where it 

 flourishes in a barren soil beneath an almost scorching 

 sun. It is also occasionally found in the mountainous re- 

 gions of Calabria. 



We have seen this plant used in cemeteries, where it 

 appeared very appropriate and created a pretty effect, es- 

 pecially in a small, enclosed lot. When this species is as- 

 sociated with the trailing Junipers, such as J. prostrata, 

 or J. squamata, the effect is visibly heightened. 



4. J. mar rocarpa* Sibthorp. LARGE-FRUITED JUNI- 

 PER. Syn. J. elliptica, Van Houtte. Leaves rather large, 

 lanceolate, very acute, glaucous above, light green below. 

 Branches, somewhat upright, with slender, drooping 

 branchlets. Fruit very large, nearly elliptical, dark pur- 

 ple color, and covered with a beautiful light bloom. , 



This fine shrub, although closely resembling J. Oxyce- 



