444 SPICES 



CHAP. XIV 



and chewed as a cough lozenge, and in Europe for 

 masticating to clear the voice. 



It is said also to be used by snuff manufacturers, 

 and Mr. A. D. Machado of Perak, Malay Peninsula, 

 found that the powdered ^rhizome sprinkled round a tree 

 attacked by white ants (termites), destroyed those that 

 were near the surface and prevented others from attacking. 



As a spice, it is used in the manufacture of certain 

 beers, and for this purpose the oil is used. Mr. Machado 

 exhibited at the Agricultural Exhibition in Singapore in 

 1906 some samples of calamus oil, which on being sent 

 to England were pronounced to be very good and much 

 in request for beer flavouring. The oil was obtained by 

 distillation of the rhizome. The rhizome in commerce 

 occurs in tortuous sub-cylindrical or flattened pieces a few 

 inches long, and from ^ to 1 in. in diameter, marked on 

 the upper surface with the leaf-scars, and beneath with a 

 zigzag line of elevated dot-like rings, the root-scars. It 

 is usually rough, shrunk, and dark brown, or orange 

 brown in colour, breaking easily with an aromatic 

 agreeable scent and a bitterish pungent taste. In the 

 outer part are oil-cells containing essential oil, so that 

 peeling the rhizomes before shipping or distilling, as is 

 often done on the Continent, should not be resorted to. 



The rhizome yields 1 *3 per cent of a yellowish neutral 

 oil of an agreeable odour, containing a bitter principle 

 Acoria, a semi-fluid brownish glucoside. 



As the oil of sweet flag is wholesome and agreeable 

 in flavour, and is suited for flavouring beers, cordials, 

 and other drinks, and the plant is very readily established 

 in the tropics and grows fast, it might very well be worth 

 while for a distiller to prepare the oil for these purposes. 



