1U8 ENGLISH nOTAXY. 



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 liairs near the base, deciduous. 



In hedgebanks, borders of woods. Common, and generally 

 distributed, tliough 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 vei'y 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 sb'glitly- 

 lobed and bluntly-serrated leaflets. Stipules reniform-roundish, 

 with acute triangular lobes and teeth. Flowers few, in long 

 ratlier rigid peduncles, yellow, ^ to f inch in diameter. Calyx 

 witli the inner segments triangular acuminate, the outer ones half 

 as long and strapshaped-lanceolate. Petals about as long as the 

 sepals, lleceptacle hispid. Achenes ovoid, compressed, sparingly 

 hispid, contracted into a falcate beak about -| 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 Xelkemourz. 



The common Avens or Herb Bennett is abundant in most woods, thickets, and 

 shady hedge-banks. The latter name is derived from Ilerba benedicla, " Ijlessed herb." 

 Platearius tells us " thdt 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 hai'm him. The author of the 

 '' Ortus " says further, that where it is growing in the garden no venomous beast will 

 approach within sceut 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. Stefj,ed in wine, the same part of the plant has 

 been com^idered useful in dysentery. The active properties of the plant differ according 

 to the situation in which it grows : when procured from a damp shndy place, it is often 

 found to be quite inert. Haller tells us that the root infused in water has occasioned 

 dflirium in some cases of fever. Gerarde extols the virtues of this plant, and says : 

 " The decoction of Avens made in wine is commended against crudilie or rawuesse of 



