THE AMERICAN BOTANIST 123 



this as well as the other species is called "herb Bennett." This 

 latter name is said to be a contraction of hcrba bcncdicta, liter- 

 ally the "blessed herb." This name comes to us from Europe 

 where an allied species was reputed to have magical proper- 

 ties. It was said that if a root of this plant is in the house it 

 renders the devil powerless against it. The name of "black 

 bur" given to our native species refers to the seed-head which 

 somewhat like a small burdock, adheres to everything with 

 which it comes in contact. The name of "camp root" may 

 refer to its use in intestinal troubles such as are likely to de- 

 velop in camp; but this is a mere surmise. Gcuiu Canadensis 

 is called "red root" for obvious reasons and it is also known 

 as "herl) Bennett." The original "herb Bennett" was the 

 European Geuni urhamini and this was truly the blessed herb 

 since its leaves and flowers were once carved on many a pil- 

 lar and facade of the early churches. Getini ciliatuin is known 

 as "prairie smoke" and "Johnny smokers," possibly because, of 

 its plumed achenes like wisps of smoke. The word "avens" 

 ;ipplied to this genus is of obscure origin. It is reported to 

 come from the French, but the meaning is at present a puzzle. 



The genus Dryas, but sparingly represented in this coun- 

 try, is known as the "White Mountain avens" and "wild be- 

 tony." The latter name has a rather curious history. Accord- 

 ing to Pliny it was originally Vettonica in honor of a Spanish 

 people the Vetones. In Latin it became Betonica, in English 

 speech "betony," and in country parlance "bitney." 



Another rosaceous genus with medicinal (jualities is 

 Gillenia whose two species, trifoUata and i^tipnlacca have 

 several vernacular names indicative of the fact. The plants 

 were sometimes used as an emetic in place of the true ipecac, 

 hence "American ipecac," "false ipecac," "Indian physic", and 

 "dropwort." "Bowman's root" evidently refers to some early 

 practitioner who made use of the plant, but there seems to be 



