The =palette=, in Egyptian _mesthȧ_ 𓐝𓐰𓊃𓍘𓇋𓆱, usually consisted of a rectangular piece of wood, from eight to sixteen inches long, and from two to three broad, at one end of which were sunk a number of oval or circular hollows to hold ink or paint. Down the middle was cut a groove, sloping at one end, in which the writing reeds were placed; these were kept in position by a piece of wood glued across the middle of the palette, or by a sliding cover, which also served to protect the reeds from injury. A very good collection of palettes is exhibited in the Third Egyptian Room, Table-case C. Of special interest are the palettes of Ba-nefer, of the reign of Pepi II, B.C. 3200 (No. 12,782); the palette of Ȧāḥmes I, the first king of the XVIIIth dynasty, about B.C. 1600 (No. 12,784); the palette of the scribe Pa-mer-ȧḥau, who lived in the reign of Ȧmen-ḥetep III, about B.C. 1450 (No. 5513); and the palettes of Ȧmen-mes (No. 12,778) and a scribe (No. 5514), who lived in the reign of Seti I and Rameses II respectively. The hollows for the ink, or paint, generally black and red, are usually two in number, but some palettes have a dozen. The inscriptions on palettes usually contain prayers to the great gods of the Other World for sepulchral offerings; but sometimes they are dedications to the god Teḥuti, or Thoth 𓅝𓐰𓏏𓐱𓏭𓀭, to whom the invention of the art of writing is attributed. The =writing reed=, in Egyptian _qesh_ 𓈎𓐰𓈚𓌟𓆭, which served as a pen, was about 10 inches long, and from ⅟₁₆th to ⅛th of an inch in diameter; the end used for writing was bruised and not cut. After the XXVIth dynasty, an ordinary reed, similar to that used in the East at the present day, was employed, and the end was cut like a quill, or steel pen. The ordinary palette will hold about ten writing reeds easily. The =ink= was made of mineral or vegetable substances mixed with gum and water. The earths, or ochres, or preparations of copper, were rubbed down on slabs with little mullers, several of which may be seen in the Third Egyptian Room, Table-case C. The =ink-pot= was called _pes_ 𓊪𓐰𓊃𓎺, and was usually made of faïence or porcelain. The hieroglyph 𓏟 represents the palette, an ink pot, and a reed, united by a cord; the whole stands for “scribe” and “writing.” [Illustration: Slab of limestone inscribed with a draft of a deed. Dated in the reign of Ḥeru-em-ḥeb, about B.C. 1400. [No. 22, Table-case C, Third Egyptian Room.]]