214 FLORA DOMESTICA. 



them as clumsy weeds. Linnaeus informs us, that in Smo- 

 land, Houseleek is a preservative to the roofs of houses. 

 The Common Houseleek may easily be made to cover the 

 roof of a building, whether tile, thatch, or wood, by stick- 

 ing the offsets upon it with a little earth. 

 Dr. Leyden speaks of a rural cottage 



-" with woodbine twisted o'er, 



The houseleek clustering green above the door." 



The species vary in the colour of their flowers, and 

 time of flowering ; but they are most commonly red or 

 yellow, appearing from June to August. The juice of 

 the Houseleek, either alone or mixed with cream, affords 

 immediate relief in burns and other external inflamma- 

 tions ; and is considered an excellent remedy for the heat 

 and roughness of the skin, sometimes attendant upon the 

 changes of the seasons. 



The most hardy kinds are the Common Houseleek, 

 which is a native of most parts of Europe ; the Globular, 

 the Starry, the Cobweb, the Rough, the Mountain, and 

 the Stone-crop leaved. These will all thrive in the open 

 air, and increase fast by offsets. They love a dry soil, 

 and will spread very fast upon rocks or walls. A head 

 dies soon after it has flowered ; but it is soon supplied 

 by offsets. If the common sort be planted in a little earth, 

 upon a building or an old wall, it will thrive without any 

 further attention. They are very succulent, and when 

 planted in pots, must be very seldom, and very sparingly 

 watered. 



The Canary Houseleek must be housed in winter, 

 admitting fresh air in mild weather ; in the summer it must 

 be so placed as to enjoy the morning sun. 



The other kinds, with few exceptions, require the pro- 

 tection of a stove in the winter. 



