45 
ASYLUM, PROTECTION. 
JUNIPER. 
Tur ancients consecrated this shrub to the 
Eumenides. The smoke of its green branches 
was the incense which, in preference, they 
chose to offer to the infernal gods; and burnt 
its berries on funereal occasions, to drive away 
evil spirits. The simple villagers of our own 
land superstitiously believe that the perfume 
of its berries purifies the air, and protects them 
from the malevolence of wicked genii. 
The Chinese delight to decorate their gardens 
with this plant. It groups and combines very 
well with cypresses, American cedars, and 
various species of the pine and fir tribe. It is 
commonly found growing wild on the outskirts 
of woods and forests, where it often affords 
a safe retreat to the hunted hare, which, in the 
last extremity, conceals itself beneath its pro- 
tecting branches. It is said that the powerful 
odour emitted by this plant defeats the keen 
scent of the hound. 
Its thick branches, bristling with thorns, are 
covered with thousands of brilliant insects, 
which seem to imagine this tree is provided as 
a protection for their weakness. 






