2 ^ Treatise 
Acorus is a long Root full of Joints, about as thick 
as one’s Finger, and fomewhat flattifh •, on the out- 
fide, when frefh, of a pale Colour inclining to Green, 
but afterwards changing into a reddifti Yellow. It 
has an acrid, bitterifh, aromatick Tafte, yet partak- 
ing in fome Degree of the Tafte of a Leek or Onion, 
and a fragrant aromatick Smell •, though not fo 
pleafant while it is green. It ought to be chofen 
fragrant arid not too old, being unEt for Ufe when 
mouldy, rancid, or decayed by long keeping. It 
grows in moift Places in Lithuania and L art ary ; 
and likewife by the Sides of Rivulets in Holland and 
England*. 
To this the modern Greeks gave the name of 
xccXupo; dgiapcZruto;, though it is entirely different 
from the plant which was fo called by Diofcorides 
and Galen’f. 
The Root of Acorus, in Diftillation, yields a 
corifiderable Quantity of eflential Oil, and fome 
Portion of volatile urinous Spirit : Whence it is 
evident that it abounds with a volatile aromatick 
oily Salt. 
Diofcorides afcribles to it a Virtue of heating, pro- 
voking Urine, relieving Pains of the Side, Breaft 
and Liver, difperffng indurated Tumours of the 
Spleen, affwaging the Gripes, and of curing Stran- 
guries and the Bites of Serpents ; and he aflerts that 
* It grows in Chejhire and Surry, and therefore is not, pro- 
perly fpeaking, an Exotick ; yet I have here confidered it a? 
fuch, becaufe what we ufe of it in our Shops is imported from 
Abroad. 
d The cipu[Aurticoq of Diofcorides and Gale?: , is the 
Stem of an arundinaceous Plant, hollow like a common Reed 
geniculated and {lender, being about as thick as an Oat-Blade, 
or Goofe-Quill, of a pale yellowilh Colour without, and white 
within, containing a fungous light Pith, like a Spider’s Web 
rolled up together. It has an agreeable bitterifh Tafte and fra- 
* grant Smell. This is the Calamus aromaticus which Galen orders 
a nshsiheriaca. 
