THE AVENS. 



Geum urbanum. Xat. Ord., Rosacea. 



MONGST the rank vegetation 

 of the hedgerow the wood or 

 common avens the plant repre- 

 sented in flower in our illustra- 

 tion will very commonly be 

 found, and more especially if 

 the situation be somewhat damp 

 and shaded from the too direct 

 rays of the sun ; hence, too, it 

 is very frequently met with in 

 woods and coppices. It is a 

 perennial, and may therefore be 

 looked for year after year in any 

 spot where it has once been 

 noticed. It will ordinarily be 

 found in flower by about the 

 beginning of May, after which 

 date examples more or less 

 numerous may be met with until late in autumn. "We 

 have twice found it as late, indeed, as the first week in 

 December. 



The common avens is the Geum urbanum of the 

 systematic botanist. The generic title is taken from 

 the Greek, and signifies that which is aromatic. The 

 roots of the present species possess an agreeable odour and 



