in botany; A genus of the monogynia order, belonging to the hexandria clasps of plants; and in the natural method ranking under the 5th order, Tripelaloides. The calyx is hexaphyllous, there is no corolla, the fruit is a dry monoecious berry, imbricated backwards. There is but one species, the rotang. The stem is without branches, has a crown at top, and is everywhere beset with straight spines. This is the true Indian cane, which is not visible on the outside; but the bark being taken off discovers the smooth stick, which has no marks of spine on the bark, and is exactly like those which the Dutch sell to us; keeping this matter very secret, lest travellers going by should take as many canes out of the woods as they please. Sumatra is said to be the place where most of these sticks grow. Such are to be chosen as are of proper growth between two joints, suitable to the fashionable length of canes as they are then worn; but such are scarce.—The calamus rotang is one of several plants from which the drug called Dragon’s-blood is obtained.

in the ancient poets, denotes a simple kind of pipe or fluita, the musical instrument of the shepherds and herdsmen; usually made either of an oaten stalk or a reed.

CALAMUS Aromaticus, or Sweet-scented Flag, in the materia medica, a species of flag called acorus by Linnaeus. See ACORUS.

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.