What is "great cane"

Cane \Cane\ (k[=a]n), n. [OE. cane, canne, OF. cane, F. canne, L. canna, fr. Gr. ka`nna, ka`nnh; prob. of Semitic origin; cf. Heb. q[=a]neh reed. Cf. Canister, canon, 1st Cannon.]

1. (Bot.)

   1. A name given to several peculiar palms, species of Calamus and D[ae]manorops, having very long, smooth flexible stems, commonly called rattans.

   2. Any plant with long, hard, elastic stems, as reeds and bamboos of many kinds; also, the sugar cane.

   3. Stems of other plants are sometimes called canes; as, the canes of a raspberry.

      Like light canes, that first rise big and brave.
      --B. Jonson.

      Note: In the Southern United States great cane is the Arundinaria macrosperma, and small cane is. Arundinaria tecta.

2. A walking stick; a staff; -- so called because originally made of one of the species of cane.

   Stir the fire with your master's cane.
   --Swift.

3. A lance or dart made of cane. [R.]

   Judgelike thou sitt'st, to praise or to arraign The flying skirmish of the darted cane.
   --Dryden.

4. A local European measure of length. See Canna.

   Cane borer (Zo["o].), A beetle (Oberea bimaculata) which, in the larval state, bores into pith and destroy the canes or stalks of the raspberry, blackberry, etc.

   Cane mill, a mill for grinding sugar canes, for the manufacture of sugar.

   Cane trash, the crushed stalks and other refuse of sugar cane, used for fuel, etc.