258 
LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS. 
JUNIPER. 
PROTECTION. 
The ancients consecrated this shrub to the 
Furies. The smoke of its green roots was the 
incense which they offered in preference to the 
infernal gods; and they burned its berries during 
funerals to ban malign influences. In some 
parts of the Continent, the simple villager still 
believes that the perfume of Juniper berries 
purifies the air, and drives evil spirits from his 
humble cot. 
The Juniper, which sometimes clothes itself 
in a golden yellow livery, rarely thrives under 
cultivation: when left at liberty, it loves to 
grow on the margin of woods. Weak and 
timorous animals frequently seek refuge under 
its long branches, which droop to the ground. 
The hare, when hard pressed, repairs to it, and 
squats with confidence beneath its sprays, the 
strong scent of which frequently sets the dogs 
at fault. Often, too, the thrush entrusts to it 
