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Oxford University Press released the following account in their Periodica: "The Latin word for book (Liber) originally meant 'bark'. Palm leaves were first used as writing material, then the bark of trees, and later, lead and wax. But use of the word wood, probably arises from a misunderstanding. The prevailing material in ancient times was papyrus manufactured from the pith of a plant of that name, which grows in Egypt. The Romans may have supposed that the rind, not the pith was used. Papyrus was manufactured in Egypt (thin strips of pith were laid side by side in two layers, the directions of which were perpendicular, and then glued together) and exported thence in large quantities from the Alexandria period onwards. Under the Empire, raw material was imported into Rome and these made into rolls, upon which books were written." [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]