IIOUSELEEK. 263 



remedy for many troublesome complaints, be- 

 neath the attention of physicians, whose time 

 is required in dangerous disorders ; and, as 

 every cottager who has a cover for his head, 

 has a bed for this plant, he ought to know, that 

 after it is once planted in mud, strong earth, 

 or cow dung, and placed on a wall, or the 

 shelving of his dwelling, it will thrive without 

 farther trouble. It will increase rapidly by 

 offsets, each of which forms a kind of green 

 rose, and throws out, at maturity, a stem re- 

 sembling a palm-tree in miniature, from the 

 summit of which spring star-shaped flowers, 

 worthy the inspection of either the florist or 

 the botanist. 



The houseleek is cooling and restringent, 

 and, though not often given inwardly, is com- 

 mended by some as good to quench thirst 

 in fevers, when mixed with posset drink, as 

 also for heat and sharpness of urine. Exter- 

 nally, it is useful against burns and scalds, 

 St. Anthony's fire, and the shingles.* 



It is an excellent remedy for chapped 

 hands, or scrofulous eruptions, and is the 

 safest cosmetic, for removing sun-burns, that 

 our fair countrywomen can use. 



* Miller's Bot. Off. 



