[1] Stokes (W.), T. L., 75. The terms used for satchels are
sacculi (Lat.), and tiag, or tiag liubhair or teig liubair (Ir.).
There has been some confusion between polaire and tiag, the
former being regarded as a leather case for a single
book, the latter a satchel for several books. This distinction is
made in connection with the ancient Irish life of Columba, which
is therefore made to read that the saint used to make cases and
satchels for books (polaire ocus tiaga), v. Adamnan, I l 5. Cf.
Petrie, Round Towers, 336-7. But the late Dr. Whitley Stokes
makes polaire or polire, or the corruption folaire, derive from
pugillares = writing tablets.--Stokes (W.), T. L., cliii. and
655. This interpretation of the word gives us the much more
likely reading that Columba made tablets, and satchels for books.

[2] Stokes (M.), 50.

[3] Curzon, Monasteries of the Levant, 66.


The second special feature of Irish book-economy
was the preservation of manuscripts in cumdachs or rectangular
boxes, made just large enough for the books they
were intended to enshrine. As in the case of the wallet,
the cumdach was not peculiar to Ireland, although the
finest examples which have come down to us were made
in that country.[1] They are referred to several times in
early Irish annals. Bishop Assicus is said to have made
quadrangular book-covers in honour of Patrick.[2] In the
Annals of the Four Masters is recorded, under the year 937,