Calămus
(also
Harundo; in Greek
κάλαμος). A reed. Reeds were extensively used by the ancients for thatching; for
making mats and other kinds of plaited work; and in the following uses:
1.
In music, to form the pandean pipes (
σῦ-
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Calamus, Pan's Pipe. (From terra-cotta relief.)
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ριγξ), which consisted of reeds of different lengths fastened
by wax, as shown in the accompanying cut, taken from a terra-cotta relief in the British
Museum. See
Syrinx.
2.
A light flute formed of a single reed.
3.
The shaft of an arrow.
4.
A reed pen (
calamus scriptorius), sharpened like the modern quill pen
with a knife, and cleft at the point. The best reeds for pen-making came from Egypt and
Cnidus. These reed pens are still known in the East, and the Arabs use the word
kalam to denote them. They were carried in a sort of writing-case called
theca calamaria (
καλαμίς). (Cf. Suet.
Claud. 35.) See
Writing and Writing Materials.
5.
A fishing-rod.
6.
The fowler's limed rod, which was sometimes composed of separate joints, so that it could
be lengthened to suit the fowler's convenience. It was then called
harundo
crescens or
texta, as well as
calamus (
Petr. Sat. 109).
7.
A light Egyptian boat made of reeds (
canna,
Juv.v.
89).
8.
A horizontal rod passed through the warp in weaving (
harundo, Ovid,
Met. vi. 55). See
Tela.
