[888] Of Alexandria, probably.
[889] “Shop-paper,” or “paper of commerce.”
[890] Otherwise, probably, the rope would not long hold together.
[891] Fée remarks, that this is by no means the fact. With M. Poiret, he questions the accuracy of Pliny’s account of preparing the papyrus, and is of opinion that it refers more probably to the treatment of some other vegetable substance from which paper was made.
[892] Primo supinâ tabulæ schedâ.
[893] “Scapus.” This was, properly, the cylinder on which the paper was rolled.
[894] Augustan.
[895] Or “long glued” paper: the breadth probably consisted of that of two or more sheets glued or pasted at the edges, the seam running down the roll.
[896] Scheda. One of the leaves of the papyrus, of which the roll of twenty, joined side by side, was formed.
[897] This passage is difficult to be understood, and various attempts have been made to explain it. It is not unlikely that his meaning is that the breadth being doubled, the tearing of one leaf or half breadth entailed of necessity the spoiling of another, making the corresponding half breadth.