BRITISH WILD FLOWERS. 
99 
but which is probably only a variety of S. rejlexum ; and there are several species with small white flowers, one 
of which, called the white English Stonecrop, {$. anglicum ,) is very abundant in the Highlands of Scotland, 
where its white flowers form a beautiful covering to rocks on which nothing else will grow. 
GENUS III. 
THE HOUSELEEK. (Sempervivum, Lin.) 
Lin. Syst. DODECANDRIA DODECAGYNIA. 
Generic Character. —Sepals from six to twenty, slightly cohering 
at the base. Petals the same number, acuminate. Stamens twice as 
numerous as the petals. ILypogynous scales lacerated. Fruit of as 
many parts as there arc petals.—Herbaceous perennial plants, or 
shrubs; propagated by offsets arising from the axillae of the leaves. 
Leaves thick, fleshy. Flowers in cymes, corymbs, or panicles, white, 
yellow, or purple. ( Lindley .) 
Description, &c. —There is only one species of this genus a native of Britain ; though there are several 
found in other parts of the world, (particularly in Madeira and the Canary Islands,) which are remarkable 
for their beauty. The name of Sempervivum signifies to live for ever ; and it alludes to the tenacity with which 
the common Houseleek appears to cling to life, and the difficulty that there is in destroying it. Even after a 
piece has been detached from its ordinary situation, and kept dry for a considerable time, it will grow again if 
dipped in water, and placed in a favourable situation for fixing its roots. In one case, I remember seeing a piece 
of Houseleek, that had been trampled upon, recover and grow vigorously when placed upon the damp roof of a 
shed. The botanical construction of this genus is very curious, and, though Linnaeus placed it in his class 
Dodecandria, which signifies having twelve stamens, it has sometimes double that number. It is also remark¬ 
able in being the only plant that has twelve styles. Modern botanists find its construction interesting, as it forms 
a curious illustration of the doctrine of the metamorphose of one part into another; as, besides the twelve 
perfect stamens, there are frequently twelve imperfect ones, and these are occasionally changed, or half changed 
into carpels containing abortive seed. It is called Houseleek, because it generally grows on the roofs of houses; 
and it was anciently called Sea-green, from the glaucous colour of its leaves. 
I.—THE COMMON HOUSELEEK. (Sempervivum tectorum, Lin.) 
Engravings. —Eng. Bot., t. 1320 ; 2nd ed., t. 687 ; and our jig. 2, | Specific Character. —Leaves fringed. Offsets spreading. Edges 
in PI. 22. | of the petals hairy, entire. {Smith.) 
Description, &c.— The Common Houseleek is found on every cottage roof where there is sufficient moisture 
to enable it to live; but it thrives with peculiar vigour where the roof is of thatch, particularly if it be 
partially decayed. It is one of the most useful plants in village medicine, particularly in that dreadful disease, 
cancer in the breast ; and as it is also very useful in bruises, it is certainly valuable in country places, where a 
doctor is difficult to be obtained. The flowers are very pretty, and they appear in July, but they are rare, as 
many persons, who are well acquainted with the Houseleek, have never seen it in flower ; and it consequently seldom 
produces seed, though it propagates itself rapidly by its numerous offsets. The specific name of tectorum , which 
signifies “ of the roofs,” alludes to the situation in which the plant is generally found. 
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