in botany, a genus of the hexandria monogyne clasps. The calyx has five leaves; it has no corolla; the berry is imbricated, and contains but one seed. There is but one species, viz., the rotang, a native of India.

Calamus aromaticus, or sweet-scented flag, in the materia medica, a species of flag called acorus by Linnaeus. See Acorus. The root is generally looked upon as a carminative and stomachic medicine, and as such is sometimes used in practice.

Calamus scriptorius, in antiquity, a reed or rush to write with.

The ancients made use of styles to write on tables covered with wax; and of reed, or rush, to write on parchment, or Egyptian paper.