The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-02-17
MANUFACTURE OF PAPER
Writing Surfaces of Various Ages
and Nations.
United states the Greatest Producer
of the Conimodfty-Subs En-
pIoyed in Ancient Caligraphy-ihe
Books of Nunin-Papyrus Found
With Mummy ut the Smithsonian.

It is estimated that something like $780,
600 tons Of white paper alone are manu-
featured in this country per annum. and as
much more brown and wrapping paper,
one tenth of the former kind being made
of straw. The United States uses and
wastes more paper than any other nation
in the world its production being greater
than that OF England and France put to-
gether. The first paper mill here. that at
Roxborougn. on the Wissahickon. near
Philadelphia. was established in 1890. and
is still in operation.
1t is learned from ancient authors that
various flexible materials have been used
for writing upon, such as the inner bark
OF trees their leaves, etc. and the skins
or membranes of animals. The latter
substance would seem TO be one Of
the first in order Of time among
flesh eating peoples. OF the early forms
and modes of preparation there is no par
ticular account until about 200 B. c.. when.
doubtless, merely an improved form was
made at Pergamus, whence, through per
gs1nena charts," comes the modern term
parchment" The numerous manuscript
writings on parchment contained in libra
ries are not OF great antiquity. Certain
choice specimens are on a yiolet-stained
ground, with gold or silver letters. The
remains Of Mexican and other picture
writings Of American ebo1gires are upon
skins.
There is found no reference to the fact
that animal substances are particularly
liable 10 the attacks Of insects. but this is
doubtless accountable for the loss of all
very early records made upon skins, and
even upon prepared parchment.
Some of the first printed books are
upon yellum or parchment, and that sub
stance is stlll in use, but generally only
for official written records, such as deeds,
charters, titles, diplomas, etc. Except for
its property of not tearing readily it can
scarcely be said TO have any decided ad-
vantages over the best quality Of paper.
The use OF the leaves of trees as writ
ing material had its origin in tropical
countries. where palms and kindred plants
afford an abundant supply Of most beau
tifuI surfaces for that purpose.
AS in such regions animal substances
are prone to rapid decay. the use of
leaves, dating from the earliest times,
continues TO the present day. Character
istic specimens of the employment Of
palm leaves for caligraphic purposes are
obtained from India. The natural surface
OF the leaf Is usually polished, the writing
being done by sharp-pointed iron or
steel style. which cuts through the outer
polished enamel. Some kind OF ink is then
rubbed over the surface, and only ad-
heres and penetrates where the cut has
been made. The ink used being usually
India ink, or some other form of carbon
always employed by the 0rientals, the
writing is imperishable. Some examples
of this process of the Hindus are very
beautiful. A number of such manuscripts
have been preserved in European collec-
tons.
The skin or epide-mis OF certain large
leaves also affords a suitable material for
writing, as in that OF the Mexican agaye
upon which, II is said, records have been
made 1t has lately been proposed TO rse
this substance for the manufacture Of IA
per. as it is stated to be especially adap-
table for that purpose. Another instance
of tissue taken directly from the plant is
found in the Chinese so-cailed rice-paDer
used for flower painting, in making arti-
fetal flowers. etc. II is now known that
this is made from the pith, or rather. the
pith-like wood. OF the Aeschynoment
paludosa. or perhaps of other plants
Which. by spiral cut from the outside