ORONTIACEA—SWEET SEDGE TRIBE 21 
duced during winter ; those of 4. maculatum in spring. There is the relative 
lengths of spathe and spadix: in maculatum the spadix being half the length 
of the spathe, and in ¢talicum only one-third. The colour of the spadix, 
which varies from yellow to livid purple in maculatum, is always yellow in 
italicum ; the pistils are longer in zfalicum, as also are the aborted anthers, 
whose hair-like processes act as a barrier to the lower part of the spathe. 
Order XCVII. ORONTIACEZE—SWEET SEDGE TRIBE. 
Flowers perfect, arranged on a central column or spadix, at first enclosed 
in a sheath ; perianth of 4 to 8 scales ; stamens the same in number as the 
scales; ovary superior ; fruit a berry. This order consists of herbaceous 
plants, with broad, often sword-shaped, leaves. 
SWEET SEDGE (Acorus).—Spathe leaf-like, not convolute ; spadix eylin- 
drical, covered with sessile flowers; capsule triangular, abrupt, 3-celled ; 
seeds several. Name from the Greek a, without, and korion, the pupil of 
the eye, because formerly used in diseases of that organ. 
Sweer SEDGE (Acorus). 
* Sweet Flag (4. célumus).—Spathe leafy, rising far above the spadix ; 
leaves erect ; rootstock creeping, perennial. This plant grows on the banks 
of rivers in the midland and south-eastern counties of England, but neither 
very generally nor plentifully, except in Norfolk and Suffolk, where it is 
abundant. Though occurring in one or two places in Ireland and Scotland, 
it is not indigenous to either of these countries, but naturalized. It is very 
much like a sedge or large grass, but is readily distinguished by its spadix, 
which is three or four inches long, and of a pale greenish-yellow colour, over- 
hung by a long flat leaf, while stem, roots, leaves, and all portions of the 
plant, emit a most pleasant aromatic odour. Our fathers called it Cegge, or 
Wylde Gladone, and this, as well as the common sedges, probably shared in 
the general name of Stare, or Starre. The French call it L’acore odorant, and 
the Italians, L’acoro ; it is the Kalmus, or Calamus, of the Germans. In some 
country places it is called Myrtle Sedge, probably because, like the myrtle, 
it is a fragrant plant. The whole herb is both aromatic and bitter ; and 
Linneus remarked that it was the only aromatic plant of northern climates. 
In former days the Sweet Sedge was used in the garlands hung in 
churches or dwellings. When floors were strewed with rushes, this sedge 
was probably used by the rich ; and some writers believe it to have been 
very generally employed for this purpose, and to have been, in former days, 
much more plentiful in this kingdom than it now is. From time immemorial 
it has been used for strewing the floors of the cathedral of Norwich, and 
has been thrown on some of the adjoining streets on the day of choosing the 
mayor of that city, as also on other festival days, while common rushes 
and sedges sometimes mingle with it on these occasions. When trodden on, 
its fragrance becomes stronger, and the old cathedral seems filled with 
incense. The people of Norfolk still prize it as a cure for agues, and grind 
the root to powder to be thus used; and the root has been thus employed 
