PAPEH.

411

Homer, written in golden letters on the skins of animals.In the reign of the Emperor Basiliskus, was burned at Con-stantinople a MS. 120 feet long, written on the intestines ofbeasts, in golden letters, containing the Iliad and Odysseyof Homer. In the library of the Emperor Zeno Isauricus,were likewise Homer ’s works, painted in golden letters onanimal intestines. And it is well ascertained that the intes-tines of elephants have been used for writing.

It is ,conjectured these last mentioned materials werenever in general use, but were regarded as a great rarity.In his Britannic Majesty’s library at Hanover, there is agolden'plate, written by an independent prince of Coroman-del to King George II . 3 feet long and 4 inches wide, inlaidon both sides with diamonds.

At last we have arrived at the period for the introductionof the Egyptian papyrus, a kind of rush of large dimensions,growing in the marshes on the banks of the Nile , called in thenative language herd, or a l berdi. Theophrastus, Pliny ,Prosper Alpin, and others, describe this plant as growing inswamps to the height of 10 cubits; the stalk triangular, ofa thickness to be spanned, surrounded near the root by shortleaves; stalk naked; has on the top a bush nearly resemb-ling the head with hairs, or long thin straight fibres; rootbrown. After Pliny , Guilandin is said to furnish the bestdescription of its preparation.

There is said to be a similar plant growing on the Eu-phrates , and of the like name; and also an imitation of both,Sicily is said to produce, called the papero plant. Moderntravellers have said the Egyptian plant does not nowexist.

The Egyptian papyrus was manufactured into paper fromvery tine pellicles near its pith, separated by a pin or pointedmuscle shell, spread on a table in such form as was required,sprinkled with Nile water; on the first layer a second waslaid crosswise to finish the sheet, (playula,) then pressed,hung up to dry, afterwards polished with a tooth. The Nile water was very carefully used to prevent spots. Twentyskins were the utmost which could be procured from oneplant. Those nearest the pith made the finest paper. Twentysheets glued together were called scapus, but sometimesseveral scapi w r ent to form a large vohnnen. This part ofthe business was executed by the glutinatoris, who resem-bled our bookbinders: all the workmen had proper namesaccording to their work.

This plant yielded materials for making four sorts ofpaper.