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Calamus (Reed pen which the ancients)

the reed pen which the ancients used in writing, made of the stem of a reed growing in marshy places, probably Arundo Donax, of which the best were obtained from Egypt. The stem was first softened, then dried, and cut and split with a knife (scalprum librarium), as quill pens are made. To this day the Orientals generally write with a reed (Arab. Kalâm).