OF FOREST-TREES. 



13 



affinity to the tallest Cedar ; since, were not ours continually cropped, cHAP. I. 

 but maintained in single stems, we might perhaps see some of ^"■^'^''^i' 

 them rise to competent trees, fit for many curious works, such as tables, 

 cabinets, coffers, inlaying, floors, carvings, &;c. We read of some of 

 these trees so large as to have made beams and rafters for a certain 

 temple in Spain, dedicated to Diana ; nor need we question their being 



parts of England ; for it grows naturally Only in dry, chalky, sandy land ; and where the 

 soil is opposite to this, it is rarely found. Thus, in Leicestershire it is so little known, that 

 when growing amongst other trees in a shrubbery, it is as much inquired after as any of the 

 most rare and curious shrubs ; and indeed, when properly raised from seeds, and planted in 

 gardens, it is a pretty spreading evergreen. Those who have been used to see it in its 

 wild state, on sandy, barren commons, &c. will have little inducement to plant it, as there 

 they see it procumbent, seldom shewing a natural tendency to aspire ; but when planted 

 in a good soil, it grows to the height of fifteen or sixteen feet, and produces numerous 

 branches from the bottom to the top, forming a well-looking, bushy plant. These branches 

 are exceedingly tough, and are covered with a smooth bark of a reddish colour, with a gentle 

 tinge of purple. The leaves are narrow and sharp-pointed; they grow by threes on the 

 "branches ; their upper surface has a grayish streak dowii the middle, but their under is of a 

 fine green colour, and they garnish the shrub in great plenty. This shrub flowers in April 

 and May. The flowers are small, of a yellowish colour, and make no figure. They are 

 succeeded by berries, which are of a blueish purple when ripe. 

 9. The Swedish Juniper has a natural tendency to grow to a greater height, and consequently 

 has more the appearance of a tree than the former. Sixteen or eighteen feet, however, is 

 the highest it commonly grows to ; and the plants raised from its seeds have, for the most 

 part, a tendency to grow higher, and become more woody and branching. The leaves, 

 flowers, and fruit grow in the same manner as the former, which shews it to be a variety 

 only. Old botanists mention it as a distinct species : Caspar Bauhine asserts this, and calls 

 one the Shrubby Juniper, and the other the Tree Juniper; he also mentions another sort, 

 which he calls the Lesser Mountain Juniper, with a broader leaf and a larger fruit. 



2. JUNIPERUS CoxYCEDRus ) foliis unttique imbricatis obtusis, ramis teretibus. Mill. 



Diet. Juniper with obtuse leaves every where lying over each other, and taper branches, Juni- 



perus major, bacca rufescente. C. B. P. 489. Greater Juniper with a brownish berry. 

 Oxycedrus. Clus. Hist. 1. Spanish juniper. 



This sort grows rather higher than the Swedish in some soils. It will be feathered from the 

 bottom to the top, if left untouched from the first planting, or if not crowded With other 

 trees. The leaves are awl-shaped, and finely spread open. They are very short, sharp- 

 pointed, and give the tree a fine look. The flowers of this shrub are succeeded by large 

 reddish berries, which are very beautiful when ripe. 



S. JUNIPERUS Cthurifera ) foliis quadrifariam imbricatis acutis. Lin. Sp. 1471.— 

 Juniper with acute leaves placed by fours, lying over each othen Juniperus major bacca cserulea. 

 Volume II. C 



