Or CALAMUS, SWEET, Song of Solomon 4:14, an aromatic reed mentioned among the drugs of which the sacred perfumes were compounded, Exodus 30:23. The true odoriferous calamus or grass came from India; and the prophets speak of it as a foreign commodity of great value, Isaiah 43:24 Jeremiah 6:20 Ezekiel 27:19.

A tall sedgy plant with a hollow stem, growing in moist places. In Isaiah 43:24; Jeremiah 6:20, the Hebrew word Kaneh Is thus rendered, giving its name to the plant. It is rendered "reed" in 1 Kings 14:15; Job 40:21; Isaiah 19:6; 35:7. In Psalms 68:30 the expression "company of spearmen" is in the margin and the Revised Version "beasts of the reeds," referring probably to the crocodile or the hippopotamus as a symbol of Egypt. In 2 Kings 18:21; Isaiah 36:6; Ezekiel 29:6,7, the reference is to the weak, fragile nature of the reed. (See CALAMUS .)

CANE, n.

1. In botany, this term is applied to several species of plants belonging to several species of plants belonging to different genera, such as Arundo, Calamus, Saccharum, &c. Among these is the bamboo of the East Indies, with a strong stem, which serves for pipes, poles, and walking sticks. The sugar cane, a native of Asia, Africa and America, furnishes the juice from which are made, sugar, melasses and spirit. See Sugar Cane.

2. A walking stick.

3. A long measure, in several countries of Europe; at Naples, the length is 7 feet 3 inches; in Thoulouse in France, 5 feet 8 inches; in Provence, &c., 6 feet 5 inches.

CANE, v.t. To beat with a cane or walking stick.

[REED]