a small sea-port town in the district of the same name in Ceylon. It stands on the Kala Ganga river, about 26 miles south from Colombo, in the centre of a fer- tile and salubrious district, and is much resorted to by in- valids. It was formerly the station of a garrison, and is still the seat of an inferior judicial court. It enjoys a con- siderable share in the coasting-trade, with Madras and the Eastern ports.

CALUMBA, the root of the Cocculus palmatus, a climbing plant resembling bryony, belonging to the Linnean class and order Hexandria Digynia, and to the natural order Menispermaceae. The root, which is perennial, consists of Calumet numerous spindle-shaped tubers which have an intensely bitter taste; and to prepare them for the market they are cut in slices and dried on cords. Calumba is solely used in medicine, and is one of the best pure bitter tonics, being quite free of astringency, and is especially serviceable in dyspepsia, and in affections of the stomach and bowels, often acting as a calmative when irritability exists, as indicated by pain or vomiting after meals.

CALUMET, a symbolical instrument of great impor- tance among the American Indians. The calumet is a pipe made of a soft red marble, and a long reed, ornamented with the wings and feathers of birds. No affair of conse- quence is transacted without the calumet. It always ap- pears in meetings of commerce or exchanges; in congresses for determining of peace or war; and even in the midst of battle. The acceptance of the calumet is a mark of con- currence with the terms proposed, as the refusal is a mark of rejection. When they treat of war, the pipe and all its ornaments are usually red. The size and decorations of the calumet are for the most part proportioned to the rank of the person to whom it is presented, and to the impor- tance of the occasion. The calumet of war consists of a red stone, like marble, and the tube is a hollow reed. They adorn it with feathers of various colours, and name it the calumet of the sun. From the winged ornaments of the calumet, and its uses, writers compare it to the ancient caduceus, which was carried by the caduceatores, with terms to the hostile states.

CALUMNY, slander, or false accusation made wit- tingly.

Oath of Calumny, Juramentum, or rather Jusjurandum, Calumnie, or de Calumnia, among civilians and canonists, was an oath which both parties in a cause were obliged to take; the plaintiff that he did not bring his charge, and the defendant that he did not deny it, with a design to abuse the other, but because they believed their cause was just and good; that they would not deny the truth, nor create unnecessary delays, nor offer the judge or evidence any gifts or bribes. If the plaintiff refused this oath, the com- plaint or libel was dismissed; if the defendant, he was held pro confesso. This custom was taken from the ancient athletes; who, before they engaged, were bound to swear that they had no malice, nor would use any unfair means for overcoming each other. The juramentum calumnie is much disused, as a great occasion of perjury.