94 A COMPENDIUM OF 
Natural order Rosacez. Native of Asia, but 
naturalized in the United States. The plant is 
perennial, and the stems arise to the height of 
from 1 to 2 feet (30 to 60 centimeters); are pu- 
bescent and of a purple color. The radicle 
leaves are lyrate and interruptedly pinnate, 
while those of the stem are three-lobed and ly- 
rate. The flowers solitary and nodding, and of 
a yellow and purple color, mixed; calyx is also 
colored, usually brown and purple, blending in 
harmonious tints; the flower has five petals, 
sepals number from 8 to Io, stamens number 11, 
sometimes more (icosandria), having 5 pistils 
(pentagynia). The rhizomous root of the water 
avens is horizontal oblong, scaly, and much 
wrinkled; when thoroughly dry about 2 to 3 
inches (5 to 7 centimeters) long, and % an inch 
(6 millimeters) in diameter. Externally the 
Toot presents a rusty- brown appearance; inter- 
nally red in color, and when broken the fracture 
1S Waxy, and shows quite a large pith; the root- 
lets are much contorted, and have a very thick 
bark for their size. Odor, when fresh, some- 
what spicy, but not peculiar; taste bitter and 
astringent. Water avens contains tannin, mu- 
cilage, gallic acid, a bitter principle, and a vol- 
atile oil. Its medicinal virtues are tonic and 
astringent, and it is given in form of decoction 
and powder; the dose of the decoction is a wine- 
glassful; of the powder 15 to 45 grains (1 to 2 
grams), and repeated. There is no officinal 
preparation, and its use is now confined to cer- 
tain localities and the eclectic school of medi- 
cine. The name is derived from the Greek 
eno, flavor, and rivale, from being found near 
