In Egyptian manuscripts red ink is used much more copiously than either in Greek or Latin manuscripts. Very often the scribe writes his columns alternately in black and red for the sake of the decorative appearance of the page. _Pen-cases._ Egyptian pen-cases in the form of a bronze tube about ¾ inch in diameter and 10 inches long with a tightly fitting cap have frequently been found. The British Museum possesses good examples of these, and of the other writing implements here described. _Reed pens._ The above-mentioned passage in the _Edict of Diocletian_ (see page 28) gives the prices of reed pens ([Greek: kalamoi]) of various qualities. The difference is very great between the best and the inferior kinds of pens; the best quality appears to have been made from the long single joint of a reed. There is no evidence that quill pens were used in classical times, but it is difficult to believe that so natural an expedient never occurred to any ancient scribe, especially when the use of vellum for manuscripts came in; for papyrus paper the softer reed pen would be more convenient than a quill, and indeed for all the earlier sort of Greek and Latin writing in large _uncial_ characters. It is only for the smaller _cursive_ writing that a quill would be as suitable as a reed pen. The inscription mentioned at p. 24 as giving the cost of paper in Athens in 407 B.C. is part of a record of the expenses of building the Erechtheum. It also mentions the purchase for 4 drachmae of 4 wooden writing-tablets, [Greek: chartai eônêthêsan duo, es has ta antigrapha enegrapsamen] |- |- | | | | [Greek: Sanides tettares] |- |- |- |- CHAPTER III. CLASSICAL ILLUMINATED MANUSCRIPTS. _Illumination._ The mediaeval phrase _illuminated manuscript_ means a manuscript which is "lighted up" with coloured decoration in the form of ornamental initial-letters or painted miniatures. Dante speaks of "The art which in Paris is called illuminating," _... quell' arte Che alluminare è chiamata in Parisi_; _Purg._ XI. 80. _Use of minium._ The important use that was made of red paint (_minium_) in the decoration of manuscripts led to the painter being called a _miniator_, whence the pictures that he executed in manuscripts were called _miniature_ or _miniatures_. Finally the word _miniature_ was extended in meaning to imply any painting on a _minute_ scale[21]. Originally, however, it was only applied to the painted decorations of manuscripts. _Egyptian miniatures._ The Egyptian manuscript "Books of the Dead" are very copiously illuminated with painted miniatures, both in the form of ornamental borders along the edge of the papyrus, and also with larger compositions which occupy the whole depth of the roll.