198 ENGLISH BOTANY. 
uppermost pair, is much larger than the others; stem-leaves ternate 
or 3-lobed, with very large foliaceous stipules which are broader than 
the lateral leaflets. Flowers erect. Calyx-segments reflexed after 
flowering. Petals spreading, oblong-obovate, rounded at the apex. 
Fruit-receptacle sessile. Achenes with the lower part of the tail 
falcate-spreading, glabrous; the part above the articulation about 
one-fourth the length of the lower, and glabrous, sometimes with 
a few hairs near the base, deciduous. 
In hedgebanks, borders of woods. Common, and generally 
distributed, though more scarce in the North of Scotland. 
England, Scotland, Ireland. Perennial. Summer, Autumn. 
Rootstock short, terminating in a tuft of leaves 4 inches to 1 foot 
long. The radical leaf may perhaps be best described as a ternate 
leaf, with oval or roundish slightly-lobed and bluntly-toothed 
leaflets, with a few very much smaller leaflets placed on the petiole 
beneath it. Stems erect or ascending, 8 inches to 3 feet high, with 
shortly-stalked ternate leaves, with rhomboidal-obovate slightly- 
lobed and bluntly-serrated leaflets. Stipules reniform-roundish, 
with acute triangular lobes and teeth. Flowers few, in long 
rather rigid peduncles, yellow, + to # inch in diameter. Calyx 
with the inner segments triangular acuminate, the outer ones half 
as long and strapshaped-lanceolate. Petals about as long as the 
sepals. Receptacle hispid. Achenes ovoid, compressed, sparingly 
hispid, contracted into a falcate beak about 4 inch long, sharply 
hooked round, about one-fifth from the apex, where the appendage 
commences; the latter is also hooked at the base, but with its hook 
enclosed in that of the lower portion, and soon deciduous. Plant 
green, with short scattered hairs. Leaves thin and flaccid. 
Wood Avens. 
French, Benoite Commune. German, Gemeine Nelkenwurz. 
The common Avens or Herb Bennett is abundant in most woods, thickets, and 
shady hedge-banks. The latter name is derived from Herba benedicta, “ blessed herb.” 
Platearius tells us “ that where the root is in a house the devil can do nothing, and 
flies from it ; wherefore it is blessed above all other herbs.” He adds, that if a man 
carries this root about him, no venomous beast can harm him. The author of the 
“ Ortus” says further, that where it is growing in the garden no venomous beast will 
approach within scent of it. It is slightly astringent and aromatic. The roots dug up in the 
spring are used in some parts of England to put into beer to give it an aromatic flavour, 
and prevent it from turning sour. Steeped in wine, the same part of the plant has 
been considered useful in dysentery. The active properties of the plant differ according 
to the situation in which it grows: when procured from a damp shady place, it is often 
found to be quite inert. Haller tells us that the root infused in water has occasioned 
delirium in some cases of fever. Gerarde extols the virtues of this plant, and says : 
“The decoction of Avens made in wine is commended against cruditie or rawnesse of 
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