12 
ON JUNIPERUS SABINA. 
is, indeed, characteristic of the plant. The word sabina ori- 
ginated from the nation of Sabines, whose priests used it in 
their ceremonies. The different species comprize a numerous 
list. They are (with one or two exceptions) close, conical, 
evergreen shrubs or trees. In our garden, the Juniperus sa- 
bina seldom produces flowers or seeds. Professor Pallas says? 
that in the Chirsonesus Yaurica, where it is common, the sa- 
vine is often found one and a half feet in diameter; that it there 
grows upright, similar to the cypress tree ; whereas, by the 
Yanais it is procumbent, the branches extending on the sand 
several fathoms. The wood very much resembles that of the 
Juniperus lycia, (another species,) but has a more cadaverous 
smell, and the leaves are more foetid. The leaves and tops of 
savine have a strong, heavy, disagreeable odor, and a hot bit- 
ter taste, with a considerable degree of acrimony. These 
qualities depend on a volatile oil. The plant flowers in May 
or June. 
HABITAT. 
This plant is a native of the south of Europe and the Le- 
vant. It has been introduced into this country, and may be found 
growing in some of our ^gardens ; being of a hardy nature, it 
seems well adapted to a sandy and barren soil. 
The leaves and ends of the branches are the portion used in 
medicine. When fresh they are of a dark green color, nume- 
rous, small, erect, pointed, glandular in the middle, and com- 
pletely invest the younger branches. They are collected in 
the spring for medical use. As found in the shops they pre- 
sent a faded appearance. The Juniperus Virginia, or red ce- 
dar, is frequently substituted for the savine ; in appearance 
they resemble each other, but may be distinguished by taste 
and smell. It possesses properties closely analogous to those of 
the common pine, though much more active in its opera- 
tion. 
MEDICAL PROPERTIES AND USES. 
Savine is highly stimulant, increasing most of the secretions. 
