66 CALAMUS. 



this day much esteemed by the Arabians for its sweet smell. 

 They call it Nelsi Meccani and Iddhur Meccld.&quot; 



The andropogon, however, answers all the characteristics of 

 the sweet cane or calamus of Scripture. It is fragrant, fur 

 nishes an oil suited to the various purposes of the service of 

 the tabernacle, and is brought from a distance. There are, 

 however, several reeds or canes which are fragrant; and the 

 effort to determine the scriptural calamus, or fragrant cane, 

 has caused much discussion and examination; but it is not 

 certain that the description of the true plant has yet been 

 given. 



Each of the four references to this calamus or cane in the 

 Scriptures seems to suggest its rarity. Its first mention is in 

 connection with the holy ointment of which it formed an im 

 portant ingredient; and from Isaiah xliii. 24 it seems that it 

 was not only necessary to purchase the calamus, but that it was 

 expensive. Hence the want of it in the sanctuary-service was 

 suggestive of the covetousness of the people in their offerings; 

 and it was one of the complaints urged by the prophet against 

 Israel, &quot;Thou hast bought me no sweet cane with money;&quot; 

 the significancy being that, having lost interest in their per 

 sonal sacrifices, they had no further regard to the sanctity and 

 holiness of their priests. The ointment so necessary to their 

 acceptance in the ceremonial worship had lost its value with 

 the people. It was either omitted, or no longer prepared with 

 the care and expense of previous times. The references in 

 Scripture, therefore, are to its fragrance and its use in the pre 

 paration of the most holy ointment in the temple-service. 



