In Pennsylvania practice. This is the name of a plea to the action of covenant whereby the defendant, upon informal notice to the plaintiff, may give anything in evidence which he might have pleaded. With the addition of the words “absque hoc” it amounts to a de nial of the allegations of the declaration; and the further addition of “with leave,” etc., imports an equitable defense, arising out of special circumstances, which the defendant means to offer in evidence. Zents v. Legnard, 70 Pa. 192; Stewart v. Bedell, 79 Pa. 330; Turnpike Co. v. McCullough, 25 Pa. 303.