66 Acorus calamus. 
SYNONYMA., 
TyrHa aromatica, clava rugosa. Moris. 
Acorv legitimum. Tabern. 
CaLamvs aromaticus, Garz. 
AcoruM. Rumph. 
Waemser. Rheed. 
PHARM. 
Acors Calami Radix. Edin. 
Catami Radix. Lond. 
Acori Radix. Dub. 
Caxamus is a fine aromatic, and well-known aquatic plant. It is 
truly indigenous to our states, and though not specifically, is slightly 
different from the foreign vegetable. It is a species of the genus 
Acorus, a term derived from «os, the pupil; having been formerly 
esteemed peculiarly beneficial in disorders of the eye. There are 
only two described species, the subject of this chapter and the A. 
gramineus, which is cultivated in China. Of the A. calamus, European 
writers describe two varieties, the vulgaris, European sweet-rush, 
sweet-smelling flag or calamus aromaticus, and the verus seu Asi- 
aticus, Indian sweet-rush, or calamus aromaticus. The former is said 
to be distinguished by “ its long sword-shaped leaves, resembling 
those of the flag, but narrower, of a brighter green, and yielding, 
when broken, a strong aromatic scent; and also by its oblique cylin- 
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