AVENS, or Herb-Bennet: A genus of the polygamia order, belonging to the teosandria class of plants; and in the natural method ranking under the 35th order, Sentioceae. The calyx is cleft into ten parts; there are five petals, and each of the seeds has a jointed awn. There are five species; of which the most remarkable are, 1. The urbanum, with thick fibrous roots of an aromatic taste, rough, serrated leaves, and upright, round, hairy stalks terminated by large yellow yellow flowers, succeeded by globular fruit. 2. The rivale, with a very thick, fleshy, and fibrous root, hairy leaves, and upright stalks, 10 or 12 inches high, ter- minated by purple flowers nodding on one side. Of this there are varieties with red and with yellow flow- ers.—Both these are natives of Britain, and are easily propagated either by the root or seed. The roots of the first, gathered in the spring before the stem comes up, and infused in wine, give it a pleasant flavour, and pre- vent its growing four. Infused in wine, they have a stomachic virtue. The taste is mildly astringent and aroma- tic, especially when the plant grows in warm dry situa- tions; but in moist shady places, it has little virtue. Cows, goats, sheep, and swine, eat the plant; horses are not fond of it.—The powdered root of the second species will cure tertian agues, and is daily used for that purpose by the Canadians. Sheep and goats eat the plant; cows, horses, and swine, are not fond of it.