122 CBASSULACEJE. 



properties, and are much used in country places to lay upon 

 wounds. From a foreign species an excellent tannin is pre- 

 pared. 



Now for the Stonecrops proper. Their Latin name (Sedum), 

 is from a word signifying to sit, on account, I suppose, of their 

 low growth. They have five petals, five sepals, five stigmas, 

 and ten stamens. The leaves are thick, and mostly glaucous, 

 and the flowers small. 



The tallest, but not the prettiest of the family, is the Orpine 

 (S. telephium). It grows in woody places, and in hedgerows, 

 attaining the height of two-and-a-half feet. The leaves are 

 egg-shaped and serrated, and the dingy purple flowers com- 

 pressed into a close cluster. The plant grows freely about 

 Hawkhurst, and I have specimens from Cheshire. August is 

 its flowering time. It is the only Stonecrop with flat leaves. 



The Thick-leaved Stonecrop (S. dasyphyllum), grows on walls 

 about Clevedon. It is a small plant, with weak stems and 

 almost round leaves, which are tinged with red. The little 

 flowers are white. 



The White English Stonecrop (S. anglicum), much resembles 

 the last species, but is of a stronger habit, and its white petals 

 are prettily spotted with crimson. It grows in quantities on 

 the Looe cliffs, and very ornamental it is. Both these speci- 

 mens were gathered in June. 



Another member of the family, the Rock Stonecrop (S. ru- 

 pestre), grows on those same cliffs. It has a handsome cyme of 

 yellow flowers, and grows at least a foot high ; its leaves are 

 awl-shaped and spurred. 



My contribution to this family would have been but small, 

 had it not been for Mr. Ward's kindness. The walls and rocks 

 in Swaledale furnish abundance of the Biting Stonecrop or 

 Golden Moss (S. acre, Plate VIII., Jiff. 6). Its three- 

 branched cyme of yellow flowers is a familiar object, and the 

 rocks owe much of their beauty to it. The leaves are thick 

 and spurred ; they are placed alternately upon the stem. 



