266 CULTIVATED VEGETABLES. 



sation a deep yellow, tenacious, mucilaginous 

 mass, considerably acidulous and acerb : from 

 whence it may be presumed, that this herb 

 has some claim to the refrigerant and restrin- 

 gent virtues that have been ascribed to it. 



It is observable that the filtered juice, on 

 the addition of an equal quantity of rectified 

 spirit of wine, forms a light white coagulum, 

 like cream of fine pomatum, of a weak but 

 penetrating taste. This, freed from the fluid 

 part, and exposed to the air, almost totally 

 exhales. From this experiment it is con- 

 cluded by some, that houseleek contains a 

 volatile alkaline salt; but the juice coagu- 

 lates also with fixed alkalis. Acids produce 

 no coagulation." 



The Romans took great pleasure in the 

 houseleek, and planted it in vases which were 

 set before the windows of their houses. It 

 was called Buphthalmon, Zoophthalmon, and 

 Stergethron, being considered one of the love 

 medicines. It was also named Hypogesan, 

 from its growing under the eaves of dwell- 

 ings ; and it was often called Ambrosia, Ame- 

 rimnos, and Sedum. 



The juice of the leaves was used by the 

 ancients for all humours and inflammations of 

 the eyes, as also to bathe the temples for the 



