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. 
