Papyrus

(pa-pīrus,) pl. PAPYRI. [L.; Gr. papyros. (Bot.) A gen. of plants, O. Cyperacese. The species P. anti quorum is famous for having furnished the ancients with a material for writing upon. In former times it grew abundantly in the marshy ground of the Nile delta, where it is now almost extinct, and also near Syracuse, where it is still plentiful. Its roots are tortuous, and in thickne about four or five inches; its stem, which is triangular and tapering, rises to the height of ten feet, and is terminated by a number of wide-spreading towering spikes, surrounded with an involucre composed of eight large sword-shaped leaves. The papyrus was prepared for use by cutting the interior of the stalks, after the rind had been removed, into thin slices in the direction of their length; laying these, in succe ion, on a flat board; placing similar slices over them, at right angles; cementing their surfaces together by a glue, subjecting them to pre ure, and drying. The size of the sheet was variable in length, to any desired extent. This material, in pliability, durability, and cheapne , exceeded every other employed by the ancients as we employ paper-the skins of the Ionians, the linen of the Romans, the cotton stuff and palm-leaves of the Indians, and the parchment of Mysia. Many of the papyri still existing exhibit a great difference in texture; they are fragile, and difficult to unroll till exposed to steam or the damp of a moist climate. They are chiefly found in Egypt and Herculaneum. But as yet no work of any value has been discovered in them, though their deciphering has cost much trouble and ingenuity. Papyrus was in general use until the end of the 7th cent., after which it was gradually superseded by parchment and paper. We po e papyri written more than 2,000years before [s. 682]