ARACE. Wat 
The name of this genus of plants is said to be derived from a, and xépy, the pupil of the 
eye, as it was supposed to be a remedy in some diseases of the eye. (Diose. i. 2.) 
SPECIES I—ACORUS CALAMUS. Lim. 
Prats MCCCXCI. 
Reich. Ic. Fl. Germ. et Helv. Vol. X. Tab. CCCCXXIX. Fig. 956. 
Billot, F). Gall. et Germ. Exsice. No. 2143. 
Leaves broadly ensiform, crimped at the edges. Scape similar to 
the leaves, the bract forming a direct continuation of the scape, many 
times exceeding the length of the spadix. Spadix ascending at an 
angle with the scape. 
In shallow water, by the sides of rivers and ponds. Local, but 
widely distributed over the south of England, extending north to 
Yorkshire, but it is difficult to say in how many of its stations it is 
native. In Scotland it is an extremely doubtful native ; it occurs in 
the water of Girvan, near the town of Girvan, and in the Bog of 
Culzean, Ayrshire; Castle Semple Loch and Loch Winnoch, Renfrew- 
shire. In Ireland between Lisburn and Moira, co. Down (Lab.). 
England, [Scotland, Ireland]. Perennial. Summer. 
Rootstock creeping, branched, bearing some resemblance to that of 
Tris, but smoother, and green above, about as thick as the finger; the 
branches of the rhizome terminating in tufts of ensiform and equitant 
leaves, with shortly sheathing bases, 2 to 4 feet long, 2 to 11 inch 
broad, acute, thickened in the middle, and more or less crumped along 
the edges; in other respects bearing a striking similarity to those of 
the genus Iris. Scape very similar to the leaves, from the axils of 
some of the outer leaves, bearing the spadix at the apex; the bract 
nearly as long as the scape. Spadix, in flower, 2 to 4 inches long, 
and not more than } inch in diameter, tapering to a point, and thickly 
covered with flowers from the base to the apex; increasing in diameter 
in fruit, until it is about % inch at the thickest portion. Perianth 
Segments scarious, inconspicuous. Anthers yellow. Fruit prismatic- 
turbinate, yellowish green at the apex, which is shortly pyramidal and 
the only part visible from the close aggregation of the fruits. Leaves 
bright shining green, and, as well as the rootstucks, aromatic. 
Sweet Flag. 
t 
| 
| French, Acore odorant. German, Gemeiner Kalmus. 
i 
This pleasant plant is well known as the inhabitant of marshy districts, and on the 
‘banks of rivers, lakes, and clear ditches. The long sword-shaped leaves are aromatic, 
‘and havea very agreeable smell. When rubbed in the hand they emit their scent very 
readily. Its active qualities lie chiefly in the underground stem, or rhizome, which 
line been in medical use as a stimulant and aromatic tonic. In Norfolk, where it 
c 2 
