"We have some interesting records of the aspect of the Irish monks who carried these books to the Continent. They seldom traveled otherwise then in companies. They wore long, flowing hair, and coloured some parts of the body, especially the eyelids. They were provided with long walking sticks, flasks, and with leather wallets. They used waxed writing tablets as well as skins. It is also stated that they were expert at catching fish; and from the biography of St. Gallus, that they betook themselves to this pursuit when their sustenance demanded it."