^weet ^lafl. 



1 



^rcirus calamus. N. 



Arum Famih'. 



E \RLY evervwliere in low, wet soils throughout the United 



\ Stales, the Sweet Flag, or Calamus Root, as it is sometimes 



^ called, may be found, the grouping of its swordlike leaves 



adding variety to the surrounding landscape. The root is 



.•^ thick and branching, creeping along through the watery 



^^'^ bt)il like so many reaching lingers. It is highly aromatic 



^ to the taste, and is often used medicinally as a mild stimulant and 



tonic, being highly spoken of by some physicians as a valuable 



g' ingredient in ague remedies. The name Acorus is thought to be 



derived from the Greek korc, pupil of the eye, because of supposed 



value as an eve-salve; and the Latin word calaiiius means a reed. 



Among the Turks, who are said to consume immense quantities of 



^" all kinds of sweetmeats, it is very popular as a confection, it being 



■r prepared by a coating of sugar. 



l[iinnss. 



/^N hanging cobwebs shone the dew, 

 ^ And thick the wayside clovers grew; 

 The feeding bee had much to do, 



So fast did honey drops exude: 

 She sucked and murmured, and was gon 

 And lit on other blooms anon, 

 The while I learned a lesson on 



The source and sense of quietude. 



A CLOUD lav cradled near the setting sui 

 ■^ A gleam of crimson tinged its braided s 

 Long had I watched the glory moving on 



O'er the still radiance of the lake below. 



Tranquil its spirit seemed, and floated slow! 



Even in its very motion there was rest; 



While everv breath of eve that chanced to t 



— 'Jean In^elow. 



Wafted the traveler to the beauteous west. 

 Emblem, methought, of the departed soul! 



To whose white robe the gleam of bliss is giver 

 .\nd by the breath of mercy made to roll 



Right onward to the golden gates of heaven 

 Where to the eye of faith it peaceful lies. 

 And tells to man his glorious destinies. 



— John Wilson. 



