Ossian Collection > Thoughts on the origin and descent of the Gael

no
ventiou of the Gael, who were the most ancient
inhabitants of the countries, which, in the pro-
gress of time, came to be distinguished by the
names of Greece and Italy.
Paper. Carta.
" The word paper is formed from the Greek
" -TrctTTv^oi, papyrus, the name of an Egyptian plant,
" called also /3«€Aej, whereon the ancients used to
" write.
" Various are the materials, on which man-
" kind in different ages and countries have con-
" trived to write their sentiments, as on stones,
" bricks, the leaves of herbs and trees, and their
" rinds or barks ; also on tables of wood, wax,
" and ivory, to which may be added, plates of
" lead, hnen rolls, &c." At length the Egyptian
papyrus was invented, then parchment, then
cotton paper, and lastly, the common or linen
paper.*
The era from which is to be dated the inven-
tion of the art of preparing the plant papyrus, for
the purpose of receiving written characters, is not
ascertained. The learned Varro refers it to no
* Chalmers' Dictionary, voce P?per.