XXIV. 
THE JUNIPER. 
THIS is a genus of evergreen shrubs and low trees, 
natives of all quarters of the globe. It belongs to the natural 
order Conifere, and to Diecia Monadelphia in the Linnean 
system. It comprehends upwards of twenty species, some of 
which run into an endless number of varieties. 
Plants are generally propagated by the berries or cones, 
which lie dormant in the ground for one and sometimes for 
two years before the seeds vegetate. 
Juniperus communis (Linneus), the Common Juniper, is a 
well-known spreading evergreen shrub, which grows wild at 
great elevations and in ground of very opposite qualities, but 
prefers a deep, dry, loamy soil, partially shaded with higher 
trees. Thus situated, it rises to the height of a tall shrub, 
or dwarf tree; while on poor gravel, and in wet situations, 
it only becomes a low spreading shrub. In the forest at 
Cawdor Castle, North Britain, the best specimens measure 
upwards of twenty feet in height, with trunks from eighteen 
inches to two feet in circumference. 
The plant forms an excellent underwood, and shelter for 
game in general, and its cover is the favourite resort of the 
woodcock. The berries remain on the plant for two years, 
and are generally found at many stages of maturity; hence 
the name of the shrub, from junior, younger, and pario, to 
produce ; because, while some of the fruit is ripe, a younger 
crop is still in course of being produced. 
The berries form a powerful diuretic, and are much used in 
medicine ; but their principal use is in the manufacture of 
gin. From the plant an oil is extracted which is much 
