[Sca-cooks] Help in translation?

[Decker, Terry D.]

Calamite can mean "reed" or "reed-like," so in this case I would probably
translate it as storax reed.  Storax is a general term for the snowbell
(Styrax japonicus) but can also refer to the resin of various members of the
Styrax and has been used to refer to the resin of various members of the
Liquidambar, especially L. orientalis.  I haven't see any of the plants, so
I can't tell you which resembles a reed.

Bear

> of nutmeg, of storax calamite of eche a dram - well, that means a
> dram each of nutmeg and storax. I'm not sure about the calamite...
> Anyone know: Is storax calamite a form of storax or is calamite a
> separate ingredient? I have storax here. It's rather interesting
> stuff.
>
> So, i'd translate it as:
>   "Make a pomander in this manner: Take 3 drams of labdanum, one dram
> of wood Aloes, 2 and 1/2 drams of ambergris; a dram and a half of
> nutmeg and of storax calamite. Confect all together with Rose-water,
> and make a ball"
>
> Anahita