The oldest copies are for the most part remarkably fine in execution.

Each chapter has its vignette representing a god in human or animal form, a sacred emblem, or the deceased in adoration before a divinity.

These little subjects are sometimes ranged horizontally at the top of the text, which is written in vertical columns (fig.

162); sometimes, like the illuminated capitals in our mediaeval manuscripts, they are scattered throughout the pages.

At certain points, large subjects fill the space from top to bottom of the papyrus.