284 THE BOOK OF EVERGREENS. 



nature, or our variable climate rather, will not allow us to 

 enjoy its beauties in perfection. A perfectly healthy spec- 

 imen is one of the most elegant little trees within our 

 knowledge. There is such an air of gracefulness and light- 

 ness in the easy rounded curve of each little branchlet, that 

 it is certain to command the admiration of every lover of 

 the family. Two remarkable characteristics in this species 

 are shown in the rough bark, curling and peeling off, and 

 the very peculiar chaffy adult leaves. These never vary, 

 and readily enable us to distinguish it from all others. 



13. J. religiosa, Royle. SACRED OR INCENSE JUNIPER. 

 Syn. J. excelsa, Madden, <fcc., &c. Leaves, very vari- 

 able in size and position, the rows occasionally disposed 

 ternately, but mostly quaternate ; either acute or some- 

 what obtuse, imbricated, slender, glaucous, and bright 

 green in color. Branches, irregular, quite numerous, and 

 drooping. Branchlets, drooping and slender. Fruit, small, 

 spherical, aromatic, resinous, smooth, and dark purple in 

 color. 



Although this plant is so frequently and unjustifiably 

 confounded with the true J. excelsa of Bieberstein, it does 

 not, however, resemble that species in appearance. The 

 name of <T. excelsa was first given this species by the writ- 

 ers on Indian Conifers, without a knowledge of the fact 

 that another Juniper already claimed the title. The name 

 was, therefore, changed to 7! religiosa by Royle, which is 

 the correct and only proper name recognized by botanists. 

 It has also been erroneously confounded with Cupressus 

 torulosa, which it very slightly resembles, but from which 

 it is widely distinct in fruit and other characters. 



The J. religiosa is found generally in the mountainous 

 districts of Nepal, Bootan, and Sikkim, at very high 

 elevations, decreasing in size as it approaches the highest 

 limits, until it forms but a small, uninteresting shrub. In 

 the more congenial districts, however, at elevations vary- 

 ing from 7,000 to 12,000 feet, it assumes its greatest dimen- 



