Cliap. 106.] W0>"3)ERS OF FOUNTAINS A.ND EITEES. 133 



Suirentum, not only twigs wliieli are immersed in it, but 

 likewise leaves are petrified; the Avater at the same time 

 being proper for drinking. In the stream ^^hich runs from 

 the marsh of Eeate^ there is a rock, which continues to 

 increase in size, and in the Red Sea olive-trees and green 

 shrubs are produced". 



There are many springs which are remarkable for their 

 warmth. This is the case even among the ridges of the 

 Alps^, and in the sea itself, between Italy and ^^naria, as in 

 the bay of Baiae, and in the Liris and many other rivers'*. 

 There are many places in which fresh water may be procured 

 from the sea, as at the Chelidonian Isles, and at xlrados, and 

 in the ocean at Grades. Green plants are produced in the 

 ■warm springs of Padua, frogs in those of Pisa, and fish in 

 those of Yetulonia in Etruria, which is not far from the sea. 

 In Casinas there is a cold river called Scatebra, which in sum- 

 mer is more full of water^. In this, as in the river Stymphalis, 

 in Arcadia, small water-mice are produced. The fountain 

 of Jupiter in Dodona, although it is as cold as ice, and 

 extinguishes torches that are plunged into it, yet, if they be 

 brought near it, it kindles them again^. This spring always 

 becomes dry at noon, from which circumstance it is called 



In a subsequent part of the work, xxxi. 8, our author remarks, 

 " Keatinis tantum pahxchbus ungulas jvuuentorum indurari." We may 

 presume that the water contained some sahne, earthy or metallic substance, 

 either in solution, or in a state of minute division, which would produce 

 these effects. It does not appear that anything of this kuid has been 

 obsei'ved by the modems in this water. 



2 The coral beds with wliich the Red Sea abounds may have, given 

 rise to this opmion : see the remarks of Alexandi-e in loco. Hardouiu 

 informs us, that this clause respecting the Red Sea is not found in any 

 oftheMSS. Lemaire, i. 441. A similar observation occm-s in a subse- 

 quent part of the work, xiii. 48. 



3 There are thermal springs in the Alpine valleys, but not any in tlie 

 elevated parts of the Alps themselves. 



4 The volcanic nature of a large portion of the south of Italy and the 

 neighbouring islands may be regarded as the cause of the warm sprmgs 

 which arc found there. 



* This river may be supposed to have been principally siipplied by 

 melted snow ; it would appear to be colder, bccaiisc its temperalm'e would 

 be less elevated than the other streams in tlie neighbourliood. 



^ The statement, if correct, may be referred to (lie discharge of a quan- 

 tity of intlammable gas from the surface of the water. TLo fact is meu- 

 tioned by Lucretius, vi. 879, 880, and by Mela. 



