RE: Recent discoveries of Pali MS from Afghanistan

Thanks, Jim.

>I wonder if the sticky substance or pitch exuded by coniferous trees
might
>have been or could be used as a preservative in the preparation of
birch
>bark paper for writing. I don't know much about the properties of this
>substance --- whether or not it is soluable in water or if it can be
diluted
>to a consistency where the birch bark won't stick together when rolled
up or
>stacked. Perhaps it could be used in an ink solution as well. The
>aboriginals in North Anerica seem to have used the pitch in the
construction
>and repair of birch bark canoes.

I'll keep that in mind.

Regards
Mark