36 BITING STONECROP. 



and in places so diy that little is yielded to 

 their roots by the soil. Plants of this kind im- 

 bibe moisture readily through their leaves, and 

 part with it slowly, and are thus fitted for 

 sandy deserts, or walls, or rocky places. The 

 Rev. R. W. Evans has drawn a good lesson 

 from our pretty Avild flower : — • 



" There from his rocky pulpit, I heard cry 



The Stonecrop : See how loose to earth I grow, 

 And draw my juicy nurture from the sky : 



So di'aw not thou, fond man, thy root too low, 

 But loosely clingiug here, 

 From God's supernal sphere 

 Draw life's unearthly food — catch Heaven's undying 

 glow." 



None of the Stonecrops are of great service 

 to man, though some have been used in medi- 

 cine ; but they have no little value in the eyes 

 of those who reflect that they clothe the most 

 barren soils with a gay mantle, and convert 

 the most dreary spot into a cheerful garden. 

 ]\Iost of the species bloom during the months 

 of June and July. The Pm^ple Orpine {Sedain 

 Tclephium) flowers two months later. 



