300 ACOKACEJE. 



root ; and by grating it and steeping it in water the poisonous 

 quality was removed, and the flower was used as an article of 

 food in Ireland during the time of the famine. Mr. Johns 

 mentions an extraordinary and terrible species of Arum growing 

 in the West Indies, called the Dumb Cane. When chewed it 

 causes the tongue to swell, and destroys the power of speech. 

 Its effects last several days. 



The Sweet Sedge tribe (Orontiacese), has only one British 

 representative, and here it is (Acorus calamus, Plate XVII., 

 fig. 6). The flowers are all perfect, and arranged in a spike. 

 The stem becomes leafy at the foot of the spike, and rises 

 in a flag-like bract over it, or droops backward. It is very 

 aromatic. This is the "Rush" wherewith they used to strew 

 the floor of Norwich Cathedral on festival days, and garlands 

 were made of it and hung in various churches and over graves 

 in the olden time. Major Calder Campbell has noticed these 

 customs in some touching lines : 



" O riverside! 



Where soft green Rushes bear dark flowers, 

 And reedy Grasses weave dark bowers, 



Through which fleet minnows glide ; 



riverbanks ! let me from you convey 

 Something to scatter in yon ancient minster grey ! 



"0 minster grey! 

 "Where graves of friends beloved are fonnd, 



1 come to thee with strewments ; round 



Each blade of Grass, each spray 

 Of Acorus a fragrant essence breathes 

 Nature's own incense shed to sanctify the wreaths. 



" Rushes green ! 



"With blossoms wan or brown ! And ye 

 Sweet Flags, from whose scent-roots to me 



Come thoughts of the Has Been, 

 Ye are the fitting plants at eve to shed 

 A vague mysterious perfume o'er the silent dead. 



" ' Not so, not so ! ' 

 A voice replies ; ' for joy alone 

 These Reeds and Rushes here are strewn ! ' 



But I again cry, ' Lo ! 

 Joy's emblems here I fitly use, to prove 

 That Life and Death alike spring from God's holy love.' " 



