Saccharum
sugar cane; a genus of grasses, tribe Andropogoneæ; inflorescence in loose panicles, with lanceolate spikelets; glumes two-valved, two flowered, enveloped in long wool; lower neuter with one pale, upper hermaphrodite with two; mostly tropical or sub-tropical; known species about 32. S. officinarum is the common sugar-cane. Other Indian species-S. fuscum, S. mara, S. munja, S. semidecumbens, S. canaliculatum, and 1 SACHEVERELL S. spontaneum-have fibers used in the manufacture of ropes, strings, mats, and paper. The leaves and seeds are employed for thatch, and the culms of some for native pens.
In chemistry, a term formerly synonymous with sugar, but now used almost exclusively to denote an invert sugar prepared from cane sugar by the action of acids. It is largely used by brewers.
SACHEVERELL (sa-shev'ur-el), HENRY, an English clergyman; born in Marlborough, England, in 1674. While preacher at St. Saviour's, Southwark, he in 1709 delivered two bitter sermons against dissent and accused the existing Whig ministry of jeopardizing the safety of the Church. He was impeached in the House of Commons, tried in the spring of 1710, and suspended for three years.
This persecution secured him at once the character of a martyr, and helped to stimulate the already fierce passions which then divided the Whig and Tory party. Sacheverell became the popular hero of the hour; while the Godolphin (Whig) ministry was overthrown. Parliament thanked him for his defense of the Church, and as soon as his suspension expired, Queen Anne presented him with the rich living of St. Andrew's, Holborn.
Sacheverell, having no merit to keep him permanently before the public, now fell back into obscurity. He died in London, June 5, 1724.